By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–No injuries were sustained after a house fire erupted shortly before noon at a residence in the Falliston subdivision in Helena on Monday, Jan. 18.

The Helena Fire Department received the call at 11:36 a.m. after a neighbor reported the fire.

Helena Fire Engines 61 and 63, Helena Fire Truck 62 and Pelham Fire Truck 91 all responded to the scene and extinguished the fire in approximately 20 minutes, according to Helena Fire Chief John Wilder.

“The residents were not home at the time of the fire so there were no injuries,” said Wilder. “The fire started in the left rear corner of the house and then got into the attic. We got on the scene and were able to limit the damage to the kitchen.”

Wilder said the house sustained some smoke damage but the fire damage was limited to the rear porch and a small portion of the kitchen.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but when asked if fires occur more commonly in the winter months, Wilder said space heaters tend to play a role.

“We do generally receive more calls in colder weather because of space heaters,” said Wilder. “However, this wasn’t indicative for this fire and we are still investigating the cause.”