A burning candle caused a fire that heavily damaged a house Saturday night in eastern Lawrence.

The candle was in a bedroom of the house at 1104 N.J., said Deputy Chief Mark Bradford, of Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical. Damage to the house and contents was estimated at between $65,000 to 70,000, Bradford said.

Several people were outside the house for a birthday party when the fire broke out about 10:30 p.m. No one was inside the house and no one was injured, Bradford said.

The owner of the home is listed as Bonita J. Yoder, according to the Douglas County Appraiser’s Web site.