(YORK TOWNSHIP) – Authorities say dogs perished in a house fire in Steuben County, which also destroyed the dwelling.

Angola Fire Chief Bill Harter says his department was contacted after a 911 call came in at 3:04 AM Monday from a woman who said she had a fire in her house at 0890 North 600 East in rural York Township.

The Angola and Metz Fire Departments were dispatched and while in route, they were advised that the occupant was trying to get back in the house to locate her family dogs.

The house was fully engulfed in flames when crews arrived. The Steuben Township, Fremont and Hamilton Fire Departments along with the Northwest Fire Territory were called to the scene to provide mutual aid. Harter says Steuben County REMC was also called out after firefighters encountered a live power line on the ground.

The fire was eventually brought under control just after 4:30 AM and then extinguished.

Harter says the house and its contents are considered a total loss, with damage estimates at $175,000. Their family dogs died in the fire.

The home owner told authorities that she and her son were sleeping at the time the fire started, and their fire alarms alerted them, allowing them to get out safely.

The American Red Cross was notified to assist the occupants with post fire needs.

A firefighter was treated at the scene for exhaustion.

Also assisting at the scene were the Angola Police Department, the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office, Steuben County EMS, the Angola Water Department and the Indiana State Police.