A. child may have started a fire Monday in the 2100 block of Ross Street in south Abilene, Abilene fire officials said.

Lt. Greg Goettsch, fire department spokesman, said a father and son were home at the time of the blaze, but made it out safely.

He said  preliminary reports indicate the child may have started the fire with a lighter in a closet full of clothes.

There was extensive damage to the front of the home, as well as smoke and heat damage, fire officials said.