Ryan Anderson and his wife, Krystal, live next door to the home that caught fire while they were doing yard work Tuesday at about 5:20 p.m.

“I could smell burning plastic and walked over to the house and saw flames going up the side of their home,” said Anderson, minutes after grabbing a bucket and filling it with water to douse the flames.

Anderson managed to extinguish the 6-foot fire that jumped from a flaming bag of clothing onto the south side of the two story residence near 145 N. 100 East.

The neighbor said he tried finding the owner who then helped him battle the flames.

“Two fire engines and multiple firefighters responded to the scene,” Smithfield Fire Chief Jay Downs said. More fire units were dispatched but called to return after crews quickly had the smoldering scene under control, he said.

No injuries were reported following the incident and onlookers said fire crews responded quickly.

Once contained, the fire had completely melted a section of vinyl siding on the south face of the building and filled the home with toxic smoke.

Downs said he estimates the damage at $7,000 to $8,000 considering the interior will need new paint and the siding replaced.

Downs praised Anderson for assisting the homeowner and said it is unclear what started the fire. His department listed the cause of the fire as accidental.