KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- Around 9:45 Monday morning, a fire was reported on the corner of Oxford and Westbury Lane in Kirksville.

A neighbor, who happens to be the homeowner’s daughter, noticed smoke coming from the house. She dialed 911 and firefighters were on scene a short time later.

“When we arrived we had smoke coming out of the structure. I put out a general alarm and we made entry and put the fire out,” said Battalion Chief Randy Singleton.

It was originally feared there might be two people inside the house as the daughter tried kicking in the one of the doors. Once firefighter’s arrived, it was later confirmed that the house was empty at the time of the fire.

At this time, the cause of the fire appears to be careless smoking from a cigarette that was left burning.

Most of the damage was contained to a back bedroom but extensive smoke damage occurred in the entire structure.