House fire in southwest Topeka may have began with construction work

A house fire in southwest Topeka caused more than $20,000 in estimated damages Monday afternoon, a fire investigator said at the scene.

Firefighters responded to a call of a house fire at 2:30 p.m. at 2208 S.W. Edgewater. The first crews on the scene noticed smoke and flames coming from the roof, said Michael Martin, an investigator with the Topeka Fire Department.

Martin said a preliminary investigation indicates the fire was accidental and may have been started by construction workers. It is possible, he said, a stapled nicked an electrical cable in the attic.

Crews were doing roofing and electrical work when the fire began. The homeowner had evacuated before firefighters arrived.

There were no reported injuries.

Martin said he estimated about $20,000 in structural damage and another $5,000 to $7,000 in damages to contents.

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