WILLMAR -- A home along Third Avenue Southeast sustained $45,000 in fire damage Thursday morning. Five people were in the home at the time of the fire, and two were treated for fire-related injuries.
According to Willmar Fire Chief Marv Calvin, the department was called at 11:37 a.m. Thursday to 2303 Third Ave. S.E. They arrived to find moderate amounts of smoke coming from the home and located a fire in the front bedroom of the home.
The fire was started by a small child playing with a cigarette lighter in a closet, Calvin said. The girl was treated for smoke inhalation and a woman was treated for burns on her hand, arm and leg.
The people in the home heard the smoke alarms sound and found the fire when they went to investigate, Calvin said. He reminded parents to talk to their kids about fire safety and to check their smoke alarms.
Along with the damage to the home, there was an estimated $30,000 in damage to the contents of the residence. There was extensive heat and smoke damage and some water damage to the home.
