SOUTH PORTLAND – An unattended pan of cooking oil was cited as the cause of a fire Monday that swept through the Budget Inn motel, closing off a section of busy U.S. 1 during part of the afternoon.

The fire began at about 12:30 p.m. Monday in the kitchen of the owner’s home, which is attached to the motel.

No one was hurt in the blaze, but about 10 residents of the motel were displaced.