Fire has damaged two houses in Ironton, one on the north end of town Thursday afternoon and one near the intersection of Fourth and Pine streets Saturday morning. Both are thought to be accidental.

On Thursday, fire broke out

at 1569 North Second St.

“It started near the utility room downstairs and moved upward,” Ironton Fire Department Inspector Mike Mahlmeister said. Two firefighters were treated at the scene for heat related illness and one firefighter was hit by falling plaster but was not seriously injured.

Fire caused considerable damage to a duplex apartment at 332 Pine St. Saturday.

“I believe it was accidental but we’re still digging,” Mahlmeister said. “We’re going to let it dry out a little and go back in and do some more digging.”

Mahlmeister said it appears the fire began in a back apartment and spread throughout the building.

The occupant of that apartment was not home at the time of the fire but an occupant in the other apartment was home but escaped safely.