Williamsport dentist office closed following fire. PHILIP HOLMES/Sun-Gazette

An early-morning fire broke out Friday in a utility room at the rear of 818 W. Third St., the dental office of Dr. Scott D. Martin, causing in excess of $20,000 damage, according to city fire officials.

The blaze was discovered by a trash hauler about 5:20 a.m., and it took about 30 minutes to extinguish, fire officials.

When firefighters arrived, there was smoke and fire coming from a first-floor utility room at the back of the small two-story structure, which used to be a carriage house decades ago.

“The firefighters did a great job” in stopping the fire, Scott told a reporter at the scene hours after the fire was put out.

Upon inspecting the damage, Martin suspected he might be able to re-open within a week or two. “We’ve already notified all our patients (about the office being closed),” he said.

Officials said the fire was confined to the utility room, which sustained extensive damage. The 15 by 20-foot room is where the office’s heating-cooling system and water pipes are located.

The cause of the fire was under investigation, but there was nothing suspicious about it, officials said.