A three-alarm fire was handled quickly early this morning as the Seattle Fire Department rushed to a report of smoke and flames inside a multi-story home on 11th Ave E across the street from Lowell Elementary’s playfield. UPDATE: We’re told that the building is set up as a four-plex with four separate apartments.

The family who lived inside the house was safe — and sleepy — watching firefighters work to save the 1905 home. A member of the family told CHS that the fire was started by a porch barbecue. There appeared to be no injuries and damage looked to be limited to the immediate area of the fire though smoke filled the house and 11th Ave for a time.

The first report of the fire came into 911 around 12:53 AM.

According to King County Records, the house sold for around $1 million in 2005.

No word on the official cause or damage estimates. We’ll follow up when we know more.

UPDATE: Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen tells CHS the fire was caused by an improperly extinguished smoldering barbeque left next to the building and the damage estimate was $20,000.