Fire Department: Child with Lighter Starts House Fire

ST. CLOUD - A child playing with a lighter is the cause of a house fire in south St. Cloud.

Fire crews were called to the home at 1721 9th Avenue South at about 12:30 p.m. yesterday (Monday).

The child started a mattress on fire in the basement.  The resident tried to pull the mattress from the home, which also started a fire on the porch.  Meanwhile, a pan with oil was cooking on the stove at the time, which also started on fire.

Four people where in the home at the time, they were treated for smoke inhalation.

The damage estimate is $70,000.