A fish tank that cracked because of heat from a fire Tuesday helped keep the flames from spreading inside an apartment in the 100 block of Tide Mill Lane.
The blaze, which started in a malfunctioning power strip, was believed to have smoldered for a while before maintenance workers noticed the smoke, according to a news release from the Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue.
The fire was reported about 4 p.m. Firefighters saw moderate smoke inside the apartment and removed a small amount of smoldering debris.
Investigators believe the power strip, on the floor, ignited the carpet and a cabinet.
The resident of the apartment, who wasn’t home at the time of the fire, was displaced.
The fire was ruled an accident.