Fire damages house in Portsmouth

A house in Portsmouth sustained significant damage after a fire broke out in the kitchen this afternoon.

Firefighters were called to a house in the 600 block of McLean Street at 2:28 p.m. with a report of flames shooting out the back of the structure. When the first unit arrived about three minutes later, the fire was fairly involved, said Fire Capt. Paul Hoyle.

Firefighters quickly knocked down the blaze, which was declared under control at 2:43 p.m.

Hoyle said none of the three residents who live there were home at the time. The fire was ruled accidental.