Fire damages deck and kitchen in Great Falls house

A fire destroyed a deck and damaged the kitchen of a Great Falls home Thursday morning.

The fire at 138 15th Ave. N.W. was first reported around 6 a.m., according to Great Falls Fire/Rescue Fire Marshal Dirk Johnson. The fire started on the back deck of the house and spread into the kitchen.

Johnson said it appears the fire was started by a tobacco product left on the deck. Firefighters were able to distinguish the fire by 6:30 a.m., but it destroyed the deck and damaged the kitchen. There was smoke damage throughout the house.

All four occupants were home at the time of the fire but none were injured, he said.

Johnson said he estimates damage was around $40,000.