Firefighter Tim Iman of the Butler bureau of fire catches his breath in the backyard of the house fire on Third Street on Tuesday evening. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

A tenant of the duplex at 563 Third St. in Butler accidentally started a grease fire in his kitchen while cooking Tuesday afternoon, which spread to the rest of the unit and ended up damaging the entire structure.

The tenant suffered first-degree burns and was hurt because of smoke inhalation, according to firefighters, and he was the only person in the building at the time of the fire.

The house has been owned by Chip Lewis Marra for nearly 30 years, and he said he used to live in it. Marra said there are three rental units in the building, and he has insurance on the property.

Still, the sight of smoke billowing from the windows and top of the house was a shock to him.

“I don’t think it has hit me yet,” Marra said.

The call for the fire came in at around 3:45 p.m., and firefighters were on the scene shortly after. Fire could be seen raging in the upper floors of the three-story building, and smoke came out from its upper floors. Gallons of water poured down the steps of the house as firefighters sprayed solid streams for minutes at a time to fight the fire.

The house had a recently-installed tin roof, which Butler firefighters said held the heat and smoke inside, making it harder to fight.

The fire was under control at around 5:30 p.m., but firefighters continued extinguishing flames and smoke until late in the evening.

Butler Bureau of Fire, Butler Township Volunteer Fire District, VA Butler Fire and Emergency Services, Butler police and Butler Ambulance Service responded to the scene.

Lieutenant Crawford for the Butler bureau of fire mans the water cannon to spray water on the second floor of the house fire on Third Street on Tuesday. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

Butler firefighters fight heavy smoke while gaining access to the third floor of a residential building on Third Street in Butler on Tuesday, Dec. 20. Cary Shaffer/Butler Eagle

Butler Bureau of Fire responds to a fire at a residential building on Third Street in Butler on Tuesday, Dec. 20. Cary Shaffer/Butler Eagle

Butler firefighters fight heavy smoke while gaining access to the third floor of a residential building on Third Street in Butler on Tuesday, Dec. 20. Cary Shaffer/Butler Eagle

A City of Butler firefighter shoots water into a third floor window of a residential building on Third Street in Butler on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. Cary Shaffer/Butler Eagle

Butler firefighters respond to a fire at a residential building on Third Street in Butler on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. Cary Shaffer/Butler Eagle

Heavy smoke and flame makes its way out of the back of the house fire on 3rd street on Tuesday evening. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 12/20/22

Water is shot out of a 2nd story window while the fire rages above on the 3rd floor on the house fire on 3rd Street on Tuesday. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 12/20/22

Firefighters from the Butler bureau of fire walk towards the back of the burning house fire on 3rd street on Tuesday evening. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 12/20/22