Spencer, IA (KICD)– An apartment on the south side of Spencer sustained some damage in a kitchen fire Monday afternoon.

Spencer Fire-Rescue was called to 1212 South Grand Avenue shortly after noon to a report of smoke coming from one of the units. Upon arrival, firefighters found no signs of fire from the outside but moderate smoke was found inside after making entry.

Crews found an unattended pan on the stove was the source which caused damage to the appliance and surrounding area.

The occupant of the apartment was not home at the time of the incident. Firefighters were able to remove two pets from inside before ventilating the building and allowing residents back inside.

A single fire unit was paged a short distance away a couple of hours later after an improperly discarded smoking device ignited some mulch in the median of the 900 block of 11th Street Southwest.

The two calls have fire officials noting nearly half of fire fatalities each year are caused by food or other cooking materials igniting while more than 80 percent of wildland fires being caused by human action.