A house in the 200 block of Burdick Road in unincorporated Westchester Township in Porter County was destroyed by fire early Sunday and officials said a resident and his pets were able to evacuate safely.

The Chesterton Fire Department responded to the scene at 4:54 a.m. Sunday and found on arrival that the two-story house was already fully involved.

“The roof was on the ground when we got there,” Chesterton Interim fire Chief Eric Camel said in a release.

The home’s sole occupant at the time was able to safely evacuate the residence through a basement window with the family’s pets after smoke alarms and the barking of the family dog woke him up.

The resident was treated for smoke inhalation at the Franciscan Alliance on Indian Boundary Road and subsequently released.

The cause of the fire was listed as “undetermined-accidental,” given the extensive nature of the damage, Camel said. The house’s furnace failed several days ago and “multiple space heaters” were being used to keep the home warm. The resident suggested to fire officials “that a space heater might have been the culprit,” Camel added.

The fire was struck around 6 a.m. and the Chesterton Fire Department performed overhaul until clearing the scene at 7:06 a.m.

Assisting Chesterton at the scene under mutual-aid agreements were the Porter, Liberty Township Volunteer and Beverly Shores fire departments.

Amy Lavalley is a freelance reporter.