Portland Family's Home Destroyed in Fire
PORTLAND, Tenn.----Firefighters are working to put out a fire this morning in Portland.
Crews responded to the scene within the 300 block Keytown Road around 1:40 a.m. Thursday morning.
The homeowner says he heard cracks and pops and smelled smoke. He says told two other people who were living in the two-story house to go outside while he grabbed a water hose to put the fire out. The homeowner says he left the door open and wind that came through the front door made the fire spread even quicker.
Heavy flames and smoke were coming from the home's roof. The family living inside the home made it out safely, but firefighters tell Fox 17 the home is a total loss.
The flames were burning so profuse, firefighters had to battle the fire defensively (meaning none of them battle flames from inside the home).
Crews did allow the owner to go into his garage andretrieve tools, motorcycles etc. Crews also say the family's cat is unaccounted for. There's no word yet on where the family will be staying or if Red Cross will be assisting.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation at this time.
