SAN DIEGO -- Eco-terrorists are suspected of starting a fire that caused more than $20 million damage, 10News reported.

Officials continue to investigate the fire that destroyed a five-story apartment complex under construction, saying it may be the work of a domestic terrorist group.

The fire early Friday caused damage to the unfinished, wood-framed building in the upscale University Town Centre residential neighborhood.

The Earth Liberation Front is an eco-terrorist group which describes itself as "an international underground organization that uses direct action in the form of economic sabotage to stop the destruction of the natural environment."

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See Images Of Flames Eco-Terrorism To Blame For Massive Fire?

Rod Coronado is not a member of the ELF but, he is a spokesperson for the group and supports the way it is trying to send a message. Coronado says the fire was a message.

"The first intent is obviously to cause economic hardship to companies, individuals responsible for destroying the environment," Coronado said.

He says he would rather see an apartment complex burn to the ground than developers making money off the environment.

"Regardless of how people feel about these actions ... they do help bring the issue to public's attention and maybe when it's enough in the public's attention that's when governments will be called upon to do something about it," Coronado said.

In a statement sent to 10News, the ELF Press Office said:

"The ELF Press Office has received no communique for the UTC San Diego fire that took place August 1, 2003 and thus can not answer any questions as to why this location and city was chosen for the latest ELF action. The banner at the site reading 'You build it, we will burn it -- ELF' is a legitimate claim of responsibility by the Earth Liberation Front."

The group has claimed responsibility for a fire that burned a ski resort in Colorado, and another fire that damaged a car dealership that sold sport utility vehicles.

"ELF is not a militaristic, highly trained, structured or financed organization. We're not talking about the IRA here, we're talking about young people primarily concerned about the fate of the planet," Coronado said.

Richard Miller of the Sierra Club says real environmental groups know better than to set things on fire.

"How is it conceivable that burning something, anything, even homes in an urban setting, is going to attain environmental protection [rights]," Miller said.

Miller says the Sierra Club strongly condemns this type of violence.

But, Coronado says the ELF is in business because groups like the Sierra Club have not been able to get the job done.

"There's a whole new generation of environmentalists out there who don't have the patience that older people did and who have to work within the system," Coronado said.

Jan Caldwell of the FBI, told 10News ELF has been under investigation for a long time.

"We're looking into who is taking responsibility for it. We are aware of the group," Caldwell said.

No injuries were reported.