Fire crews were called after an odor of smoke was detected Tuesday at the Lawrence Community Shelter, 214 W. 10th Street. The shelter was evacuated. There were no reports of injury, but the cause was still under investigation.

Firefighters on Tuesday evening extinguished a small fire on the exterior of the Lawrence Community Shelter, 214 W. 10th St. The shelter was evacuated, a Douglas County dispatcher said.

Firefighters were called around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, and they spent a little less than an hour searching for the source of the problem.

Light smoke was reported inside the shelter, and it dissipated quickly. Firefighters searched the building, including the walls, roof and basement. No injuries were reported.

Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical Division Chief Joe Hoelscher said the small fire was likely started by smoking material that was thrown down an exterior vent. It burned some leaves and plywood but did no other damage although it caused smoke briefly throughout the building before it dissipated. The fire is not expected to displace anyone at the shelter, he said.

The community shelter near 10th and Kentucky streets is the main homeless shelter in the city.