JEFFERSON TWP — Fire officials believe a faulty electric stove started a small fire Monday afternoon that caused minimal damage at a home in the 200 block of Bonniebrook Road.

Patricia Treich who lives there was home alone and baking beans shortly before 2 p.m. when she noticed fire inside the oven.

“We don’t know if something boiled over onto the heating element and that started it, but we do know there was something wrong with the stove,” said Chief Chris Ballina of the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Department.

Treich tried unsuccessfully to extinguish the fire by herself.

“She said she tried to put it out by throwing flour on it,” Ballina said, “but that did no good and thought it was time to call us.”

Herman volunteer firefighters got to the home first and quickly snuffed out the fire with dry chemical extinguisher and hand hose line.

“The fire was contained inside the oven,” Ballina said. “There was little smoke damage to the house.”

Firefighters ventilated the home before they left. Crews were there for about 45 minutes.