REPUBLICAN – A Bertie County family lost their home to fire Saturday.

The Lewiston Woodville Fire Department was dispatched to a home on the corner of Charles Taylor Road and Republican Road near this crossroads community in the early evening hours Saturday.

According to LWFD Chief Larry Mizelle, a family of five had returned home to find the structure smoking. A call to 9-1-1 dispatched the fire department from Lewiston-Woodville who also received mutual aid from the Askewville Fire Department.

Mizelle said the exact cause of the fire had not been determined, but it started near a wood heater in the home. He said it was not known at this time if the fire started in the heater or in the flue.

He said there was nothing suspicious about the fire.

The home was a total loss, according to the chief. The family (Michael and Kimberly Cullipher) and their three children lost everything that was in the home.

Local churches have begun the process of helping the family recover.

The total estimated loss was not known as of press time.