At 1 a.m. Thursday morning, the residents of a home on the 20300 block of 70th Street East were awakened by a crackling noise.

When they looked outside, they saw smoke and flames coming from a detached structure that housed their hot tub.

East Pierce Fire and Rescue firefighters arrived within seven minutes to find that the fire had extended from the outbuilding to the near-by two-story, single-family home, despite the occupant’s efforts to douse the blaze with a garden hose.

“We were able to stop the fire in the attic and walls,” said East Pierce Acting Battalion Chief Matt Jewitt. He reports that there was significant damage to one room, but they were able to save the rest of the house.

According to East Pierce Fire Investigator Greg Reinke, the fire is still under investigation. He confirmed that it started in the detached hot tub structure, but the exact cause has yet to be determined.

Given the heavy-to-moderate smoke damage to the house; Reinke estimates a loss of $125,000 for the home and contents.

No injuries were reported.