A house in North Platte sustained significant damage in a fire Tuesday morning.

The North Platte Fire Department responded to the fire near the corner of 12th and Eastman at around 6:30 a.m after a citizen observed smoke coming from the structure.

Fire officials say the fire started in the basement of the residence and caused heavy smoke damage.  They say fighting the fire was difficult because it had burned through the floor leaving a big hole which firefighters had to work around.  A search of the residence revealed that no one was home at the time.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.  North Platte Fire Marshal George Lewis is investigating the blaze.

The home is owned by Alpha Stubbs.