Fire investigators traced the cause of a residential fire that displaced 12 people on Tuesday night to a space heater in a basement.

Investigators also said the fire, which was reported at 7:20 p.m. Tuesday at 6037 37th Ave., erupted dangerously close to a 2-year-old in a crib inside a makeshift basement bedroom.

There were no reports of injuries from the fire; however, investigator Guy Santelli said the crib was about 12 feet from the flames.

“(Residents) grabbed the 2-year-old, saw the flames in the corner and exited the building,” Santelli said.

According to reports, the first-arriving firefighters found heavy smoke coming from the home with flames showing through the basement and a first-floor bay window.

After some initial trouble getting to the fire, a report said, firefighters reached the basement and extinguished the flames within 10 minutes. The fire did not extend to the second floor, but there was smoke damage throughout.

A family of seven people lived on the first floor, and a family of five were living on the second floor, Santelli said.

Investigators said there were no smoke detectors in the duplex, and the basement was not designed as a living space. City of Kenosha ordinance prohibits residents from using basements without escape windows as living quarters.

Additionally, Santelli said there were multiple problems with the space heater that caused the fire. It had been plugged into a surge protector, which was plugged into an extension cord, and that cord was plugged into a porcelain light fixture on the basement’s ceiling.

The Red Cross was contacted to assist the families, but all of the residents reportedly found temporary housing with relatives.

Damage to the structure was estimated at $15,000, while damage to the contents was estimated at $7,500.