An early morning fire damaged the house at 36 Pine St. in Porterdale, sending one resident to the hospital because of smoke inhalation, though the person was treated and released the same day.

When Newton County fire crews arrived on scene after 8:30 a.m., heavy smoke was pouring out and fire was visible in the center of the house, Deputy Chief Brad Stapp said Tuesday, but he said crews were able to contain the fire within about 10 minutes. Most of the fire damage was limited to one room with mainly smoke and water damage elsewhere.

All of the house’s occupants were outside when fire crews arrived. A woman was taken to Newton Medical Center because she inhaled smoke, but Stapp said she was treated and released.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but Stapp said there’s no evidence to suggest it was anything other than accidental.

He said he believes the American Red Cross is helping the occupants.

Fire officials didn’t have an estimate of the total cost of the damage. The house is 1,624 feet and is worth $16,400, according to the Newton County Tax Assessor’s website.

Stapp said there were no county structure fires reported over the weekend.