CHICORA — A suspected electrical malfunction in an air conditioning unit is the leading cause of a fire Wednesday night that damaged a home on Water Street, authorities said.

Jason Ramsey and his girlfriend were away when the fire started around 9 p.m. and no one was injured. The couple’s dog was saved when Chicora volunteer firefighters got there and forced in the door.

The state police fire marshal’s office is investigating but the blaze was not considered suspicious, officials said.

An attack crew pressed its way through the locked front door and other firefighters used a pole to dislodge the air conditioner from the window.

Almost immediately upon entering the house, the couple’s dog ran out and was not hurt.

Damage was estimated at $10,000 to the house and an additional $1,000 to its contents.

The damaged window was eventually boarded up and the electricity was turned off pending an inspection.

An official for the Butler chapter of the American Red Cross said the agency is assisting Ramsey and his girlfriend with temporary housing.