Grease fire causes $20,000 in damage

A forgotten pan on a lit stove resulted in about $20,000 in fire and smoke damage to a house on South Ellis Street Tuesday, firefighters said.

No one was hurt in the blaze.

Firefighters were called to the scene about 7 p.m. at 838 S. Ellis.

According to reports from the Cape Girardeau Fire Department, tenant Rick Nunley left his home and returned to find his kitchen on fire.

The house, owned by David Hinton, was empty when the fire started.

Battalion chief Steve Niswonger said there was moderate damage to the kitchen and heat and smoke damage throughout the house.