Short circuit believed cause of house fire

An electrical short circuit was cited as the possible cause of a house fire Monday morning that forced two men from their home in north Spokane.

Firefighters from nearby Station No. 15 were first on the scene of the 6 a.m. fire at 1640 E. Olympic Ave. and found smoke billowing from the attic and roof.

They quickly extinguished the fire. Both occupants got out safely, although they did not have a smoke detector, which is recommended.

Firefighters said the blaze appears to have started in a wall adjacent to an electrical panel and spread into the roof. Damage was estimated at $20,000.