A Thursday evening fire damaged a house on Connell Street.

According to a press release by East Ridge Fire Chief Mike Williams, firefighters were called to 5305 Connell St. at 10:22 p.m. on a reported residential fire. When they got there heavy smoke and fire was coming from the house.

Fire crews battled the fire from inside the house, while other firefighters searched for anyone who may have been inside. The fire was quickly extinguished and nobody was located inside. Chief Williams said the house appeared to be vacant at the time of the blaze.

The origin and cause of the fire is under investigation. Damages are estimated at $20,000.