COOS BAY — Firefighters got a whiff of the real thing Wednesday, when their department was called out to douse two house fires. Both buildings suffered thousands of dollars in damage.

The first general alarm came shortly before noon, when firefighters responded to a fire at 471 Park Ave.

The blaze started in a closet. April Schneider; her husband, Jeff Schneider; her mother, Shelly Maki; and the couple’s 3-year-old daughter, Faythe, were in the house but were able to get out of the building unscathed.

Maki said she heard firefighters say the fire was contained within the closet.

Coos Bay Fire Chief Stan Gibson said staff will follow up today to determine the cause of the fire, which caused an estimated $12,000 in damage from heat, smoke and flames.

 A couple hours later, Coos Bay firefighters rushed to another blaze at a home at 1066 S. Eighth St. A couch caught fire at about 2:30 p.m.

Along Eighth Street, neighbors watched as firefighters and police officers worked the scene and gave medical attention to resident Michele Henderson, 55.

Gibson said the cause of the fire is believed to be careless smoking.

“The person was smoking on a couch, fell asleep ... and the cigarette fell on the couch and caught the couch on fire,” Gibson said.

 Coos Bay Fire Lt. Randy Miles said 11 firefighters, three engines, a rescue and utility vehicle responded to the scene. They extinguished the flames within about five minutes.

Police officer Mark Ereth said fellow officer Steve Myers was the first to arrive following a 911 call. He said Myers kicked down the house’s door to rescue Henderson, who was passed out on the floor.

Although Ereth said Henderson would likely go to Bay Area Hospital for smoke inhalation, a hospital spokeswoman said she was not treated.

According to roommate Bob Laird, 69, Henderson was scheduled to move out that day.

The fire caused about $10,000 in smoke damage.

Later that night, at about 10:20, firefighters returned to the house, as the orange couch started to burn again in the driveway, the fire chief said. Four firefighters and one engine went to the scene and knocked down the flames in about five minutes.

Gibson said working two fires in one day is atypical for his department, which averages about six calls per day for medical and fire emergencies.

“This is unusual to have two fires, so this is a good opportunity for people to review their home safety plan — what to do in case of a fire,” Gibson said.

He also suggested people also check smoke alarm batteries when they set back their clocks this Saturday.