A Mandan couple escaped serious injury when a faulty exterior light fixture in their home started a fire early Saturday morning.

Steve Nardello of the Mandan Fire Department said the couple reported the fire at their two-story, single-family home, 205 2nd Ave. NE, just before 2 a.m. Saturday.

Nardello said the fire started in the light fixture of the older home, traveled up the walls and into the attic. He said the woman was transported to a hospital with breathing difficulties, then later released. No other injuries were reported.

Nardello estimated damage from the fire to be about $75,000.

- Brian Gehring