Fire gutted a home Wednesday at 930 Dutch School Road in Branch County’s Noble Township.
Bronson firefighters were called to the home after a wood-burning stove overheated and caught fire, and flames began to spread.
According to the fire department, one person was inside when the fire began. Although the home had no smoke alarms, a family dog alerted the occupant, who was asleep at the time. The resident and dog escaped the home safety prior to firefighters’ arrival.
Firefighters had some difficulty extinguishing flames in the ceiling area, between the roof and in walls.
Strong wind reignited flames in the building. Mutual aid arrived from Burr Oak and Orland, Ind.
No injuries were reported. Authorities estimate structural damage to the home, owned by Jason Rinehart of Howe, Ind., at $30,000 and loss of contents at $10,000.