Photo by Deb Gau Marshall firefighters with air packs responded to a fire in the basement of a commercial building at the corner of East College Drive and Carrow Street on Thursday. Traffic on a portion of East College was temporarily redirected, so a fire engine could get set up on the roadway near a hydrant.

MARSHALL — A basement fire caused damage to a Marshall business Thursday morning.

Traffic on East College Drive was temporarily redirected while Marshall firefighters parked a fire engine on the street and hooked hoses up to a nearby hydrant.

Marshall Fire Chief Quentin Brunsvold said there was smoke and water damage to the building, which is located at the corner of East College Drive and Carrow Street. However, Brunsvold said, “As far as we know, it hadn’t extended to structural (damage).”

“We did find the origin of the fire and got water on it,” Brunsvold said.

It looked like the fire started in an appliance in the basement, like a sump pump or dehumidifier, he said.

“We’re not sure which,” Brunsvold said.”

The basement fire was reported at the Farmers Union Agency insurance office in the building.

“The tenant heard some sort of ‘pop,’ but wasn’t sure what it was,” Brunsvold said.

After finding a fire in the basement of the building, the tenant called 911, he said.

Brunsvold said responding to the fire was a little complex. There were two suites in the building, so firefighters needed to check out and then ventilate both areas.

Brunsvold said there were also challenges in finding the best place to stage fire trucks around the building. The structure was located close to East College Drive, and was surrounded by some large trees. A nearby hydrant was also located on East College Drive.

In order to get the best access for responders, Carrow Street and a lane on part of East College Drive were blocked off. The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office and Marshall Police helped direct traffic on East College Drive around a Marshall fire engine parked in the roadway.