The fire that damaged a house in Albert Lea last week is believed to have started from a mechanical failure in the basement, according to an Albert Lea Fire Department official.

Albert Lea Fire Lt. Trevor DeRaad said a house on the 200 block of E. Second St., owned by Charles and Roseta Montanye, is a total loss. The home has substantial structural damage and extensive smoke damage.

DeRaad said investigators found that the floor heater had come loose from the floor and cracked the gas line, which in turn ignited and began burning.

He estimated the fire had already been burning for at least 20 minutes when firefighters arrived at the house just after 11:30 p.m. Nov. 30. A passer-by reported smoke coming from the house to authorities.

DeRaad said two shifts of firefighters battled the blaze for three hours.

He said flames were coming out of a basement door and spreading into the upper level.

“If there wasn’t a full-time fire department, the fire from that house could have spread to other houses or to trees,” DeRaad said.

No one was in the house when the fire began.