Dennison, Ohio - The State Fire Marshal is investigating a blaze that caused an estimated $60,000 in damage to a North Second Street home and its contents.

Dennison Fire Chief Dave McConnell says the call came in at 4:21 a.m. after the owners of the home awoke to a noise and discovered that their front porch had caught on fire. 

McConnell says the couple and their two dogs had already made it out of the home when area fire departments arrived at the scene. A family cat was still inside and perished in the fire.

McConnell says firefighters from Dennison, Uhrichsville, Tuscarawas and Gnadenhutten battled the blaze for about six hours before the fire was completely extinguished. Also assisting at the scene were Smith Ambulance, the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Department, and the Uhrichsville and Dennison Police departments.

McConnell says the fire caused about $50,000 in damage to the home and $10,000 in damage to its contents. 

“They pretty much lost everything due to the heat and smoke and water damage. They’re going to be able to salvage some stuff but not a whole lot,” he says.

He notes that the heat from the flames also damaged the siding of a neighboring residence and couple’s two cars, which were parked in front of the home.

McConnell says state investigators were called to the scene but have not yet determined the cause of the fire.

Stacey Carmany, Tusco TV