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Maryville firefighters responded to a house fire at 8:11 a.m. today at 1229 East Harper Avenue. The fire was brought under control within minutes.

Maryville Fire Chief Ed Mitchell said the fire began in the bedroom area and spread through the kitchen area of the house. He said the rest of the house suffered smoke and heat damage.

Three people lived in the house and two residents were at home at the time of the fire. Mitchell said that everyone escaped the fire safely, including the residents' dog.

Mitchell said he thinks the fire was "accidental in nature" at this point in time, but said he hoped to have the investigation completed by this afternoon.

The fire sent up huge plumes of smoke which were visible from downtown Maryville. East Harper Avenue was closed at Wrights Road.