5-year-old accidentally starts Wheeling townhome fire

A 5-year-old playing with a lighter caused a fire in the basement of a Wheeling townhouse Friday, officials said.

The fire caused about $75,000 worth of damage, and the family is unable to return to the house at 494 Pueblo Trail until it's repaired, according to the fire department.

Chief Keith MacIsaac said the fire had opportunity to spread because the family wasn't notified until a few minutes later.

"There was a smoke detector in the home, but there was no battery in it," he said.

The 5-year-old also sought out another sibling first instead of a parent. Both attempted to put out the flames before finding an adult who was outside the home.

"All of that added to the damage," MacIsaac said.

The fire department responded around 10:30 a.m. and was able to get the blaze under control in about 10 to 15 minutes, he said.

Neighbors in the connecting units were evacuated, but they were allowed to return to their homes later in the day.

MacIsaac said the fire was contained to the home and mostly damaged the basement, which included a bedroom and laundry room. The flames initially caught onto papers and then sheets and blankets on a bed, MacIsaac said.

The rest of house has some heat and smoke damage, he said. There were no injuries in the incident.

MacIsaac said the juvenile fire center coordinator will follow up with the family to make sure the parents understand how to avoid a similar situation in the future.

"It's a curiosity issue," he said. "We'll have counseling with the child to make sure he understands the danger of his actions."