Firefighters quickly quelled a fire in a second-story bathroom in Bath early Friday morning, saving the house and preventing flames from spreading to nearby homes.

The fire was reported at 5:30 a.m. at 10 Cato Ave. by homeowner Anne Murphy.

Upon arrival, Bath Fire Capt. Tim Merry said crews could see flames through the upstairs bathroom window, as well as the fire working its way up the side of the house into the roof.

Firefighters first put out the fire in the bathroom and then focused on the exterior of the house.

The fire was snuffed out within minutes before it could spread to nearby homes. One structure stands only 16 feet away.

The event illustrates the benefit of early detection and quick response times, said Bath Fire Chief Lawrence Renaud. The fire department has an average town-wide response time of 3.5 minutes, meaning they are able to quickly contain a blaze.

The house sustained smoke and water damage and is currently uninhabitable. Despite significant damage, Renaud said the home can be repaired.

It appears the fire was caused by an improperly discarded cigarette, which Renaud said was placed in a plastic bag.

“Nobody was hurt and firefighters did a good job,” Renaud said.

Brunswick and West Bath fire departments also responded to the scene, while Phippsburg and Woolwich fire departments covered Bath’s station.