Eight people, including two children, escaped without injury this morning when a fire damaged a duplex at 119 Walker Ave.

The building is unlivable but potentially reparable, said Butler City Fire Department Lt. Donald Crawford.

The occupants had been sleeping when at about 7 a.m. one of them woke up and smelled smoke. The fire appears to have started in the kitchen area of the second floor, Crawford said, noting that the cause still in under investigation.

Five residents and three holiday guests were in the duplex at the time. All got out safely.

The second floor living area and third-floor attic was damaged by the fire. The lower floor living area has water damage, said Crawford. He estimated the loss at $10,000 to the contents and $30,000 to the structure.

The state police fire marshal has been contacted to help determine the cause of the fire, but it is not considered suspicious.

In addition to city firefighters, responders included Butler Ambulance Service, city police, the VA Hospital Fire Department, and the Meridian Fire Department.