Columbus firefighters battled a blaze at a home on the north side of the city yesterday. The utility room fire caused about $5,000 in damage to the home in the 4100 block of North Riverside Drive.

Capt. Mike Wilson, spokesman for the fire department,said crews were called to the home, which was under remodelling. at about 5:10 p.m. yesterday afternoon. The homeowner said he and a family member were trying to start a vent-less fireplace at the home and thought that might be the source of the fire. Instead, they  found that the smoke was coming from the basement.

Firefighters discovered the fire had started near a dehumidifier and it was quickly extinguished before spreading. The basement suffered smoke damage, Wilson said.