A young boy playing with a cigarette lighter started a fire that forced his family from their home in Aloha Thursday morning, authorities said.

TVF&R photo

Some of the burned items now outside the duplex.

According to Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, the fire started in a bed in an upstairs bedroom.

The parents first tried to put out the fire themselves, but were forced out by smoke and flames. They escaped unharmed with their two sons and daughter.

They told investigators the boys had been playing together in the bedroom just before the fire began.

When firefighters arrived they were able to put out the fire quickly and damage was kept to a minimum. TVF&R estimates there was about $10,000 worth of smoke, fire and water damage.

The cigarette lighter was found next to the bed.