The Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Department spent just more than an hour extinguishing flames after a house in the 4400 block of 24th Place caught fire Wednesday evening.

Fire Marshal Rich Barr said that the department wouldn’t begin investigating the cause of the fire until this morning.

According to neighbors who spoke with the family, the fire began when the family attempted to move a Christmas tree through the basement and spilled dried flowers next to the hot water heater.

Six fire trucks arrived on the scene shortly after 6 p.m., Barr said. Three firefighters were inside the house when the basement fire crept through the floorboards and spread rapidly, forcing a quick evacuation of the house.

By the time the department got the fire under control, Barr said, a portion of the interior of the house had collapsed and the department had cut holes in the exterior walls to prevent fire from climbing to higher floors.

About 8:30 p.m., trucks were still on the scene, and Barr said he expected the department to remain overnight while the family relocated.

“We’re double-checking everything,” Barr said. “We’ll be here all night.”