CENTRALIA — The Red Cross is assisting a nine member family that was displaced Wednesday night when their South Walnut home in Centralia suffered heavy damage from a fire.

An air conditioning unit is being blamed for the fire that had already spread through two rooms when firefighters arrived on scene around 6:40 p.m.

A neighbor had noticed smoke and fire around the A/C unit and in the living room of the home before alerting the family. The five adults and four children were able to escape without injury.

Firefighters were able to contain the flames to the living room and kitchen, but the two-story home suffered heat, smoke and water damage.

All available Centralia City firefighters were called to the scene and Centralia Fire Protection District was ultimately called to provide additional manpower.

Firefighters remained on scene for approximately two hours.