An early-morning electrical fire on Thursday destroyed a house in the Hi-Crest neighborhood of southeast Topeka, officials said.
The blaze, which caused an estimated $18,500 in damage, was reported around 3:15 a.m. at a single-story residence
at 3380 S.E. Girard.
Heavy smoke and flames were reported coming from the house when crews arrived.
Topeka Fire Department Battalion Chief Chad Longstaff said crews brought the blaze under control before entering the house.
A search revealed no one was inside the house.
The center portion of the roof had collapsed, and crews remained on the scene putting out hot spots until around 6 a.m.
One firefighter suffered a minor injury to a finger while fighting the fire, Longstaff said. That firefighter was taken by fire department personnel to a local hospital for treatment.
The initial investigation indicated the fire's cause was accidental and was associated with a malfunction of electrical branch circuitry at the residence.