(Atlantic, Iowa) – No injuries were reported following a house fire Sunday afternoon, in Atlantic. Atlantic Fire was paged out to 2821 County Club Drive at around 4:19-p.m.  According to Atlantic Fire Chief Tom Cappel, witnesses alerted dispatch when they saw smoke coming from the residence.

A quick assessment of the scene determined there was a working house fire. Chief Cappel says the homeowner had inhaled some smoke, and was sitting outside the home. He was treated at the scene by Cass EMS. It was then that crews began to make an an interior attack on the fire.

Once they were inside, crews entered the basement and encountered heavy black smoke both upstairs and downstairs. The fire downstairs was quickly knocked-down, Cappel said. The heat was so intense downstairs, though, a few windows were broken and the fire essentially flash extinguished itself.

The fire he said, originated with a burning candle. Cappel thanks the Atlantic Police Department and Cass EMS for their assistance. All crews returned to their quarters by around 5:45-p.m .