AUBURN – A fire sparked by heat tape on a water pipe was blamed for more than $50,000 in damage to a lakeside home at 703 Garfield Road on Monday morning.

Firefighters knocked down a blaze, which was confined to a utility room in the unoccupied 1-story cottage.

One firefighter was taken to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston where he was treated for possible heat exhaustion then admitted for observation, deputy fire Chief Mike Minkowsky said.

Flames licked at the eaves and sparks sputtered at the point where electrical service entered the home.

A neighbor spotted smoke billowing from the unoccupied house shortly after 9 a.m. After knocking on the door and getting no answer, Tim Priestly saw flames and called 911.

The converted seasonal home sits on the shore of Taylor Pond.

The Maine Fire Marshal’s Office concluded that heat tape on a water pipe under the home caused combustible material nearby to ignite, Minkowsky said.

Firefighters doused the flames by fighting the fire inside the house. They used only 350 gallons of water, thereby diminishing damage to the home. They also moved belongings from the utility room to other parts of the home.

Homeowner Laura Drinkwater-Miller returned to her home as firefighters were battling the blaze. She has homeowners insurance, Minkowsky said.

Heat from the fire melted the siding on one wall of an adjacent home. That home housed two 100-gallon propane tanks. The quick work of the firefighters prevented the prospect of a bigger fire, he said.

“I’m real proud of the work these guys did,” Minkowsky said.

Firefighting units from Poland, Minot, Auburn and Lewiston were at the scene.