BAKER — A family of four was left homeless Sunday evening when their new house burned to the ground.
A fire that started in the garage got into the attic and swept across the structure in approximately five minutes, said Baker Fire Chief Dusty Talbert. The rest of the three-bedroom home was destroyed when the roof area collapsed, he said.
The “brand new” home, on Lena Drive in the still developing Mossy Oak subdivision, had been occupied for just about two months, Talbert said.
A man, his wife and their two children managed to escape from the home.
Talbert said the fire started about 7:30 p.m. when the owner, who had been working in his garage, went inside for something to eat.
Firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control in about an hour and remained on scene until midnight, Talbert said. Units from Holt and Crestview provided assistance.
Baker volunteers returned Monday morning to “get spot fires … we couldn’t get to last night,” Talbert said.
Baker firefighters presented the family with a $50 WalMart gift card to use immediately to buy necessary items lost in the hurry to evacuate, Talbert said. The Red Cross was on scene but the man’s military unit took care of providing housing.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker home burns to the ground in Sunday evening blaze