COSTA MESA – – A fire in sober living house started Saturday night and lasted into the early hours of Sunday morning. No injuries were reported, but several people were displaced, according to the Costa Mesa Fire Department.

Firefighters responded to the fire in the 2200 block of Elden Avenue at around 11:30 p.m., said Costa Mesa Fire Capt. Chris Coates. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but much of the fire was centered around a fireplace and chimney, Coates said.

The fire extended into the walls and attic of the two-level house, Coates said. Firefighters first had to attack the fire from outside with water from two aerial ladders because the fire initially was too dangerous to fight from inside the house, he said.

It took about three hours to extinguish the fire, Coates said. Firefighters were at the scene cleaning up until sunrise, he said.

Coates said he didn’t know the number of people displaced by the fire.

As temperatures drop and more residents use their fireplaces to stay warm, Coates reminded people to use only one or two logs at a time and to have chimneys and fireplaces inspected annually.

Contact the writer: aboessenkool@ocregister.com