A stone farmhouse in Earl Township was gutted by a fire Thursday morning.
A passersby discovered the fire shortly before 8 a.m., reporting black smoke pouring from every window of the two-story house in the 800 block of Mountain Road, off Route 73 about 5 miles west of Boyertown, said William Campbell, assistant chief of Earl Township Volunteer Fire Company.
The house was unoccupied at the time, but the homeowner managed to get there in time to let their two dogs out of the residence, Campbell said.
Based on the reports, Campbell immediately requested a second alarm because fewer volunteer firefighters are available to respond during the daytime hours.
Crews from as many as a dozen fire companies responded from surrounding fire stations and as far as Topton, he said.
No one was injured.
The solid construction probably saved the house from total destruction, Campbell said. However, its stone walls also trapped heat inside, resulting in everything inside being damaged by fire, heat or smoke.
Crews controlled the fire within 45 minutes, but remained on scene for a few more hours mopping up.
The Salvation Army of Boyertown canteen unit served beverages and food to volunteers and the family.
The family is expected to stay with nearby relatives while their home is being repaired.
The state police Troop L fire marshal unit is investigating the cause of the fire.