LANCASTER TWP — Fire Monday evening forced a mother and her three children to flee their home on Stone Church Road, authorities said.

No one was injured in the blaze that broke out about 7 p.m. in the basement of Charles and Audra Schramm’s one-and-a-half story farmhouse.

Audra Schramm and the couple’s three children, between 10 and 15 years old, were home at the time when the youngest child noticed the fire, said Chief Neal Nanna of the Harmony Volunteer Fire Company.

The family teamed up and attempted to put out fire coming from the basement.

“They tried to put it out with a bucket of water and a hose from outside,” Nanna said. “But no luck.”

Everyone inside got out safely, including the family’s dog and three or four cats.

Harmony firefighters were first there and saw flames in the basement that appeared to be extending into the first floor.

Nanna said an attack crew quickly got inside the house and within minutes the fire was under control.

The fire damage was contained to the basement but smoke damage was reported throughout the house, which is owned by Audra Schramm’s parents who live nearby in Lancaster Township.

A damage estimated was not immediately available. The property was insured.

Trooper David Jungling, a deputy fire marshal, is leading the investigation. He could not be reached for comment this morning.

While a cause has not been determined, the fire does not appear suspicious, Nanna said.

Assisting the Harmony VFC were firefighters from Zelienople, Prospect, Connoquenessing, Callery and Adams Area. The last fire crew left the scene about 10:30 p.m., authorities said.

The Schramm family, who could not be reached for comment, is staying with relatives.