BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL) — The Bristol, Virginia Fire Department (BVFD) said a structure fire Saturday evening was caused by “improper use of an outdoor burning container and environmental wind conditions.”

According to a release from the fire department, the fire took place in the 900 block of Maple Street at around 5:24 p.m. Once crews arrived on the scene, they observed an active fire in the rear area of a single-story residence, according to the release.

The BVFD said all three of its stations responded to the call.

“The Battalion Chief immediately directed Ladder 1’s crew to deploy an attack line to the rear of the house for fire attack, while Engine 2’s crew was instructed to establish a water supply at the intersection of Maple and Lester Street,” the release states. “The crew from Fire Station 3 stretched an additional hose line to assist with extinguishing the fire.”

The release said bystanders nearby reported that no human occupants were inside the residence, but an animal was inside. Fire attack operations continued and the blaze was successfully brought under control, the fire department said.

The release said crews then assessed the impacts of the fire and determined damage was limited to the rear exterior siding of the home, with no interior damage. “The primary fuel for the fire appeared to be a large collection of miscellaneous debris in the backyard consisting of wood, paper, plastic, and metal materials,” the release states.

An investigation into the cause of the fire began, and as it took place, the BVFD said a woman who reported living at the home with a male arrived on the scene. The release said the woman told firefighters that “the male subject had constructed a metal box for burning items and had initiated a fire in this improvised container.” The release said the fire was found to be lit at around 5 a.m. Saturday.

The BVFD said that based on observing wind direction, fire patterns, intensity and dry conditions, the investigation determined the blaze began due to embers from the unattended metal burn box. The release said the embers were carried by wind to nearby combustible materials in the yard, which then sparked the fire that spread to the outside of the residence.

No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported, and the animals inside the residence were unharmed, according to the release. The damage to the residence’s exterior was estimated to be around $5,000, the BVFD said.

“The fire was classified as accidental in nature, with improper use of an outdoor burning container and environmental wind conditions identified as the primary contributing factors,” the release states.’

Also on Saturday night, the City of Bristol, Virginia declared a local state of emergency–banning all outdoor fires until weather conditions change.