A three-alarm blaze that gutted a West End apartment and left three people without a home early Friday afternoon remains under investigation, officials said.
    
The fire began in the second story apartment of a 4000 block Seminary Road apartment complex about 1:30 p.m., said Chief Bob Rodriguez. Firefighters had the blaze under control within 20 minutes, but not before the third story apartment balcony suffered some damage, he said. 
    
One ladder truck was out of service when the call came in, according to Rodriguez, but the crew normally manning it was station with the departments heavy rescue squad. As a result of that and the proximity of the nearby Seminary Road station, two crews were on site almost immediately, he said. 
    
Arlington and Fairfax counties provided mutual aid. There were no injuries.
    
Rodriguez said the fire cause roughly $250,000 in damages in early estimates. The cause is not yet known, he said.