Recreational fire pits are to be used in a yard and never on or in a structure, according to city fire officials. That advice comes after a resident at 634 Ames Place used such a pit Monday night on his porch.

The fire smoldered overnight and set the porch on fire about 5:45 a.m., according to fire Platoon Chief Kevin Hurne.

Fortunately for the residents, a passerby saw the fire in time and called 911, Hurne said. Firefighters arrived and quickly put out the fire before it had a chance to enter the home, he said.

“It burned a hole in the porch floor,” he added. Damage was estimated at under $1,000, Hurne said.