POWELLSVILLE – An early morning blaze near here on Tuesday completely destroyed a local residence, but all the occupants were able to escape safely.

According to Powellsville Fire Department Captain Herbie Taylor, a call came in to the fire station at 7:49 a.m. of a fire at 2709 US 13 North in the Piney Wood Chapel community. Two pumpers and two tankers were dispatched and firemen were on the scene within minutes, arriving at 7:56 a.m.

“When we arrived the house was totally engulfed in flames,” said Taylor.

Four or five persons, adults and children, were believed to be living in the home at the time.  A woman resident on the scene told firefighters she was awakened by a noise and when she went into her living room to investigate the room was completely engulfed in flames.  The woman was able to quickly awaken her mother and her children and get everyone out of the house to safety by the time firemen arrived.  However, several of the family’s pets that were inside the home at the time were believed to have not survived.

The Askewville Fire Department also arrived on the scene with another tanker as well as manpower.

A morning rainstorm helped in extinguishing the blaze and firemen were able to get the blaze under control within minutes, but everything was destroyed.