DANVILLE, Va. – A basement fire started by a six-year-old sent a Danville family fleeing into the night.

Crews were called to 757 6th Street for a report of a house fire just before 8:30 Tuesday night. On arrival, everyone was out of the home.

Firefighters entered the one-story home through the basement, where they found a piece of furniture on fire. The fire was quickly extinguished but several items in the basement melted from heat. The rest of the house experienced smoke and heat damage.

17 firefighters were on scene for two hours.

The investigation revealed the fire was started by a child. No one was injured.