Six members of the Rineer family watch their house burn early Wednesday morning in Providence Township.
Fire destroys Providence Township home early today.
Remains of home damaged by fire early today in Providence Township.
A family of six safely escaped its burning Providence Township home early Wednesday morning.
Flames were shooting through the roof of the bilevel house at 150 Truce Road when firefighters arrived at 12:20 a.m.
About 30 firefighters fought the blaze for about two hours before it was brought under control.
RAW VIDEO: Blaze in Providence Township
State Trooper Brian Herr said the home, across from Providence Elementary School and owned by Leon Rineer Jr., was mostly destroyed. He estimated damage at $250,000. As of Wednesday morning, he had not determined a cause.
Rineer awoke, saw light and thought his children had left the lights on, according to Refton Fire Company Capt. Jeff James. When Rineer got up to investigate, he discovered the upstairs rear of the house in flames.
Rineer roused his family, which includes three children, and they all fled the house. Three dogs were rescued.
The Lancaster County office of the American Red Cross of the Susquehanna Valley assisted the Rineer family with clothing, food and lodging.
Vehicles in the home's two-car garage were driven to safety. Firefighters had to hose down a neighbor's camper parked near the home to keep it from catching fire. Another camper owned by the Rineer family was not damaged.
About 30 firefighters from Refton, Quarryville, Rawlinsville, Willow Street, Lampeter, Strasburg, Bart and West Willow fought the blaze.