WESTPORT — A kitchen fire erupted Monday when a stove’s burner, which was accidentally turned on, ignited items stored on top, according to fire officials.

Firefighters were alerted about 12:30 p.m. Monday to a problem in the home at 22 Berndale Drive after smoke-detector activation was reported by an alarm company.

While fire crews were en route to the scene, the alarm company reported that a person at home confirmed an active fire in the dwelling.

The Fire Department response was upgraded with four engines, a heavy rescue vehicle, a mutual-aid truck company from Wilton and the shift commander dispatched to Berndale Drive. A Westport EMS crew and police also were on scene.

Flames had spread from the stove upward to kitchen cabinets and a microwave when firefighters arrived, according to the report by Assistant Chief Philip Hessberger.

The blaze, doused with about 20 gallons of water, did not spread beyond the cabinet area. Smoke filling the house was cleared using fans after about an hour. 

No injuries were reported, and the house remained habitable, according to the report.

The blaze apparently started when a knob on the electric stove was bumped accidentally, activating a burner and setting fire to items sitting on the stovetop, officials said.

“Do not store items on your stovetop,” Fire Marshal Terrence Dunn said in a statement issued after the fire.

“The household had a monitored fire alarm system, which significantly reduced the amount fire damage and saved the life of a family pet,” he said.