FORT SMITH (KFSM) – A fire damaged a Fort Smith house Friday afternoon, but those inside made it out safely, according to the Fort Smith Fire Department.
Firefighters responded to 1001 N. J. St. just after 1 p.m. in reference to a house fire at the location. A man and two dogs were inside at the time, but they escaped the fire without injury, according to the fire department.
By the time crews were able to extinguish the fire, it left significant damage to the back end of the house, although fire crews said it is not expected to be a total loss. The fire appears to have started in the back bedroom, although the cause of the fire is still under investigation, said battalion chief Tery Graves.
The house is damaged enough to force the family to live elsewhere for now, the family told 5NEWS.
“Thank God everyone’s O.K.,” said Phyllis Houseman, the woman who owns and lives at the house. “But it’s still a loss. I’ve been here for over 20-plus years.”
Houseman was not home at the time.
