Staff writer
Marion Fire Department was called to Jack Branson’s home at 221 S. Garfield St., Marion, midafternoon Saturday.
When firefighters arrived on the scene smoke was coming from the rafters of the two-bedroom home, Fire Chief Mike Regnier said Monday.
“It didn’t good,” he said.
Eldon Hett, owner of the house, said Branson was home with his daughter when he smelled something unusual. When he realized smoke was coming from the roof, he called the fire department.
Branson and a friend were able to recover some personal items and get everybody out safely before the fire spread from the attic area. He moved into a different rental house Sunday.
Ten firefighters responded to the fire. It took about three hours to extinguish the fire and make certain it was out, Regnier said.
Nobody was hurt, but the house sustained major damage.
“The roof caved in, so it’s pretty much a total loss,” Regnier said.
He said he didn’t want to speculate on the cause of the fire. An investigator from the state fire marshal’s office will determine the cause, he said.