City of Centralia Firefighters say a short in an old power line started a smoldering fire at the Lorraine Forrest home at 1103 North Elm late Monday afternoon.

Although firefighters could see the smoke, they were unable to reach it because there was no access to the 12-inch-high crawl space. They eventually had to cut two holes in the ground to gain access to the fire.

Damage from the fire was limited to a problem with the electrical system and two holes in the floor.

The fire was reported at 4 o’clock on Monday afternoon. Fire crews have been at the scene for about an hour and a half.