LYNDEN - A north Lynden house occupied by a family of five was evacuated early Tuesday, Aug. 23, when a fire that started in an attached garage spread into the kitchen.

The family was awakened about 7 a.m. to the sound of smoke alarms and the smell of smoke, said Lynden Fire Department Chief Gary Baar. One of the adults had just left for work, he said, so the other helped get the three children outside.

Firefighters arrived at the house, 1158 Ash St., within five minutes of the call. By the time the blaze was under control, the garage was "pretty well gutted," Baar said, and some of the flames had spread into the kitchen.

The walls of a house next door showed some warping from the heat, Baar said.

"Those are close quarters there," he said, "so it was lucky we were able to contain it as quickly as we did."

Investigators believe a smoldering cigarette in the garage started the fire. Total damage was estimated at $20,000.

The Red Cross offered to assist the family in finding temporary housing, but they said they had neighbors to stay with.