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At 6:50 AM this morning the Duluth Fire Department responded to a report of a fire in the basement of a two story home at 410 N 27th Ave W.  Upon arrival heavy smoke was seen coming from the building and the family was standing near the street after evacuating the house in their nightclothes.  They informed us that everyone was out of the house, including their cat.  They also said that they had seen flames in the basement near the furnace at the back of the house.                        

Crews entered the house with a hoseline and made their way to the basement where they found a fire burning next to the furnace.  It was quickly knocked down and the heavy smoke was ejected from the house with positive pressure fans.  Several smoke detectors were still sounding in the house during the firefighting operation.

The fire damaged the floor joists and decking immediately above the furnace area.  All three levels of the home were heavily damaged by smoke.  No firefighters, civilians, or pets were injured in the fire.  The family of five will be unable to live in the home until extensive cleaning takes place and the damage above the furnace is repaired.

The cause of the fire was determined to be ignition of storage adjacent to the oil burning furnace.  Damage to building and contents is estimated at $50,000.