Firefighters are investigating a fire that happened at a home at 3334 Route 89 in South Butler on Monday afternoon around 1 p.m. in 90º+ heat and heavy humidity.

The fire was discovered by a passerby who noticed smoke coming out of a back porch. He began banging on the door and noticed an upstairs air conditioner was on, but no one answered and no one was home at the time. By the time Wayne County Deputies arrived heavy smoke and flames were coming out the porch area.

Complicating the scene was the time of day. Short handed, 11 departments responded in some way, some sending one, or two firefighters to the scene. Some at standby at their respective stations.

Chief of South Butler Fire Department, Rudy Vandelister says the fire started in a back addition of the house. “The various firefighters from departments buddied up to save the house. The metal roof created a problem for crews. It took them about an hour and a half to get under control,” said the Chief Firefighters say there is severe damage, but no injuries were reported.

With no fire hydrant present, tankers had to transport water to the scene. “It was amazing we got it stopped so quickly. The old house from the late 1800s had some good 6x6 timbers in it with some additions added later,”  added Chief Vandelister.

The cause has yet to be determined. The American Red Cross was called in to find shelter for two adults. Two dogs were rescued from cages at the residence. A WATTS bus was  brought in to give the firefighters a break from the hot weather.

Photo courtesy of Times news partner 13WHAM