A burned-out fan motor caused a fire that damaged a home in Duluth's Congdon neighborhood Monday night.
A resident at 3718 E. Fourth St. came home about 7:45 p.m. to find black smoke upstairs, said Duluth Assistant Fire Chief Jim Ray. He was able to knock down the fire with a home fire extinguisher, Ray said.
The fire reportedly started after a pedestal fan's motor overheated and toppled over, starting the carpet on fire and melting paint on the walls.
"He's real fortunate he found it when he did," Ray said.
The home sustained an estimated $20,000 in damage.
