By Davi Stuhlsatz

 There was extensive damage, but no one was injured, in a house fire at the home of Steven and Kimberly Smith, 13918 E. 79th St. South, in rural Derby on Sunday afternoon.

“Crews were called to the fire at around 12:30 p.m.,” said Lt. Chuck Stansfield with the Derby Fire Department. “There were people at home at the time, but everyone got out safely.”

Stansfield said it took about 20 minutes for fire crews from Sedgwick County, McConnell, Derby, Rose Hill and Wichita to get the blaze under control.

He said the fire started in the basement and extended into the first floor and attic.

Access to 79th Street from the west was blocked off by police officers until after 5 p.m., and fire crews remained on the scene later that day, monitoring hot spots.

Reports indicated that the fire may have been started by the home’s water heater.

Stansfield said it is too early for a damage estimate and that the fire remains under investigation.