Neighbors attempted to extinguish flames

OTHELLO - An electrical fire caused extreme damage to an Othello home Friday night.

When Adams County Fire District No. 5 and Grant County Fire District No. 11 arrived at the Barton Road residence, smoke and flames were visible, No. 5 Fire Capt. Randy Guse said Monday.

"It got hot enough to melt the TV," he said. "Everything has smoke damage."

No people were injured in the fire but a cat died, Guse said.

The fire was reported at about 8:30 p.m. by neighbors. Bystanders attempted to prevent the fire from spreading by using garden hoses to spray water at the flames prior to the firefighters' arrival, he said.

It took firefighters between 15 and 20 minutes to extinguish the flames. They stayed at the scene for three hours soaking hot spots and clearing the scene.

The fire appeared to begin in the kitchen due to an electrical malfunction, he said. The kitchen and living room were damaged the most by fire. The rest of the house sustained smoke damage.

At least one person lived at the residence but was not home at the time of the blaze, Guse said. It appears the person recently moved into the house but is now staying with a family member.