EVANS CITY – A woman whose apartment caught fire Wednesday night said a friend tried using a nearby fire extinguisher to douse the flames but the device didn’t work.

Nicole Baur, 27, who rented an apartment on the first floor of the house at 323 North Washington Street, said she was entertaining three friends Wednesday night about 11:30 p.m.

Two children, ages 3 and 1, were in the apartment at the time. Baur said the group became aware of the fire after the 3-year-old ran into the kitchen and said the living room was filled with smoke.

“We ran in the living room and tried using the fire extinguisher, but it wouldn’t work,” Baur said. “It just went up in flames so fast and we focused on getting the kids out. When they say a house burns in three minutes, they mean it.”

Donald Reisdorf, whose wife owns the property, said Thursday that the fire extinguisher should have worked. He also questioned how the fire, which started on a couch in the living room, originated.

“The extinguisher might have been checked maybe just a little over a year ago, but I can’t remember,” Reisdorf said. “I just think (Baur) should have called for help immediately. Right now I’m wondering what caused the fire.”

Brian Crouch, a fire marshal with the state police, on Thursday afternoon said he’s 99 percent sure the blaze was accidental and said it will still be several days before he determines a cause.

Reisdorf said he’ll meet with a representative from his insurance company Friday to discuss the damage, but he’s optimistic he’ll be able to rebuild.

Others who lived there are Lauren Goelz and Ronald Steiner.