Residents escape south Abilene house fire

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – A house fire in South Abilene occurred on Saturday afternoon and caused $60,000 in damages.

At about 4:30 p.m., crews responded to a house fire at South 27th Street in the 2800 Block.

Firefighters say the fire appears to have originated in the rear of the home, with flames spreading throughout and damaging the structure up towards the front. They found a single-family home with smoke showing.

The Abilene Fire Department (AFD) contained the fire just after 5:00 p.m. Crews closely watched the house for hot spots. Firefighters were able to pull the hose line and enter the residence. At the time of the fire, the home was occupied, and the residents were able to evacuate safely.

Firefighters say the cause of the fire was determined to be a portable heater on the back porch that was left too close to the house.