A Winfield home suffered more than $350,000 in damage after catching on fire late Thursday afternoon.
The garage and attic of the 1,200 sq.ft. house, located on a small acreage on Konschuh Road, were in flames when the fire department arrived on the scene at about 4:50 p.m.
Lake Country deputy fire chief Brent Penner said the fire was brought under control relatively quickly due to a fast response, but the fire and water damage was still extensive.
“The owner had insurance and we were able to save a few things from the house but at the end of the day the home is likely to be a total write-off,” Penner said.
He said the homeowner and his small dog were able to evacuate the house safely and the house fire alarm was ringing when the first firefighter responders arrived.
Penner said the origin of the fire has been identified as a cigarette receptacle outside the home.
When the winds strated gusting across the valley yesterday, the container was blown over and there was still enough spark from one of the cigarette remnants, fueled by the wind, to ignite a fire on the vinyl siding which ultimately spread up into the attic.
“I think the smoke was initially visible across the valley but (our firefighters) did a great job of knocking it down quickly,” Penner said.