Good timing may have prevented a house fire from being much worse.
Lincoln Fire and Rescue crews responded to reports of an extinguished water heater fire just before 5 a.m. Sunday.
While in the area, crews discovered another house on fire in the 4800 Block of Lowell.
Fire officials say flames and smoke were coming from the attic. The house had three apartments. All the occupants escaped safely. Residents were relocated.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.