(KTNC) - Fire caused extensive damage to a Falls City home early Thursday morning.
A passerby reported the fire, at 923 Fulton Street, shortly after 5:00 a.m. and volunteer firefighters were at the scene in about five minutes.
The fire was contained mainly to the basement on the southwest corner of the home and smoke was billowing out of basement windows when firefighters arrived. It took about 45-minutes to get the fire under control.
Firefighters at the scene say fire gutted the basement and there was extensive smoke damage throughout the house. The front door of the home was barricaded and firemen had to kick in the door to reach the flames.
The rental house is owned by Alvin and David Simon. It is occupied, but no one was home when the fire started.
The State Fire Marshal concluded a preliminary investigation shortly before 10:00 a.m., but would not comment immediately on what caused the fire, pending completion of the investigation.
Thirteen Falls City Volunteer Firefighters and nine Rural Firefighters responded to the fire call.
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