AUBURN — A first-floor structure fire created a scare for residents of 74 Winter St. on Monday evening but caused no injuries and only minor damage. 

The fire, of unknown origin, is believed to have started by a disconnected appliance, according to the resident of the apartment. 

The first-floor tenant, who lives alone and whose name was withheld, was thankful that her friend was visiting at the time. She said her friend saved her life by closing the door to the back storage room — an action that kept the quick-spreading fire contained. 

The tenant was alerted to the fire by a battery-operated smoke detector, and was able to get herself and the other three people in the building evacuated. She said there were three people who weren’t home at the time, but all of the pets got out safely. 

A neighbor from across the street, whose name was also withheld, let the tenant’s hairless guinea pig take shelter in their apartment.

“It’s just one thing after another,” the neighbor said. “If it’s not a fire, someone’s getting killed in a car crash.”

The tenant was able to briefly go back inside to retrieve a coat. She said that it didn’t look too bad inside, but there was a lot of thick smoke. 

Auburn Fire and Rescue responded to the scene with four firetrucks and had the fire knocked down by 7:30 p.m.

Fire Battalion Chief David Richard said the fire caused minimal damage because it was contained in the small back room.

The exact cause is still under investigation.