Child Playing With Lighter Starts Brainerd Fire

BRAINERD (AP) - Authorities say a 3-year-old playing with a lighter started a house fire in north-central Minnesota that caused an estimated $35,000 in damage.

The child was playing with the lighter in a Brainerd basement before setting a mattress on fire.

Six people were in the home when the fire broke out Wednesday evening. No one was hurt, but two people were checked at the scene for smoke inhalation.

Authorities were able to contain the flames to a basement bedroom, but the entire house received major smoke damage.

Brainerd Fire Chief Kevin Stunek says the rambler is structurally safe, but because of smoke damage, the residents will have to stay out of it for a month or two during remodeling.

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