The Spokane Fire Department responded to two house fires within about an hour of each other Monday.

The first was reported at 4:34 p.m. at 5023 S. Stone St. Nobody was home at the time, Battalion Chief Steve Sabo said. It appears the fire started near the garbage and yard waste bins outside the home. The cause was undetermined.

At 5:40 p.m., crews got a call to respond to 4323 W. Sanson Ave. The occupants had left for dinner, and someone noticed smoke and called fire crews, Battalion Chief Dave Haworth said. The cause of the fire, which was in the attic, is under investigation.

Firefighters were able to cover many of the belongings in the home with tarps, but they had to pull down most of the ceiling.