SAN ANTONIO --
Lights left running on a Christmas tree were blamed for a fire that damaged a home Monday on the city's North Side.
A passer-by called 911 after seeing flames shooting out of a home in the 1100 block of El Monte at 9 a.m.
Firefighters were able to quickly contain the fire.
District Fire Chief Robert Elizondo said that it appears the lights overheated and ignited an artificial tree.
Elizondo said it's important that residents not leave Christmas lights on when they are away from their home.
"They can get significantly hot, sometimes overload," he said. "It may be good to make sure you put them on power strips, so that if they detect overheating ... (it can) turn off before it gets to the tree."
Elizondo added that the best to do is unplug indoor decorations when you are out of the house.
The home suffered significant water and smoke damage.
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