KTKA

The Topeka Fire Department responded to a house fire Monday afternoon.

The fire at 1813 SW Lane was reported just after 1:30 p.m. after excessive smoke and fire was seen from the rear of the home from a stairwell fire.

No injuries were reported among the two adults and four children present, but $6,000 in damage was caused.

"The most important thing right now is the electrical panel because it burned out the service line," property owner Wade Fernald said. "We get an electrician and a contractor out here to do the rest of it. He'll get the building secured pretty fast."

Pretty fast is exactly what current resident Robert Clarkson III, his wife and 4 kids are all hoping for.

"Now I have to wait for my landlord to fix it, go live in a motel for three nights, get the electric turned back on, get the food back in the house that's all going to be wasted from the fridge not being turned on. So it's stressful" Clarkson said.

Fire inspectors are still unclear about what caused this fire, but they do know that the residents were using a charcoal grill Sunday night. The grill is just feet away from the house, and a gasoline tank is just inches away, leading them to believe that this may be the cause of the fire.

The American Red Cross is assisting the family of six with immediate post-fire related needs, including a 3-night stay at a local motel.

Clarkson says he's grateful for the helping hand but can only hope that his house is fixed within 3 days.