Stonington --Pawcatuck firefighters quickly extinguished a furnace fire at 26 Croft Court early Monday night.

Fire Chief Kevin Burns said a mechanical problem caused the furnace and associated venting to catch fire about 6:25 p.m.

He said the homeowner was able to wet down the side of the house with a garden hose while firefighters were responding. He said the homeowner also suffered from minor smoke inhalation after going into the basement to shut off the furnace. He said the man did not need to go to the hospital after being examined by Westerly Ambulance personnel. Burns said the home sustained smoke damage.