Firefighters battle intense flames Sunday night at a single-story home at 507 N. Main St. in Chicora. Devin Blum said he was home with his wife and their five children when they detected smoke and got out.JOE GENCO/BUTLER EAGLE

CHICORA — A family of seven fled their burning house safely Sunday night.

Homeowner Devin Blum said he, his wife and his five children evacuated the home at 507 N. Main St.

The house is next door to the Subway and Pizza Joe's restaurants.

Blum said he was in the basement readying to watch a movie with his children, when his wife smelled smoke.

The Butler County 911 center received the call at about 8:40 p.m.

The cause of the fire was unknown Sunday night, according to Blum. He said the home is insured, but the fate of the family's two dogs was unknown.

Firefighters battled the blaze for several hours, and the intensity warranted the use of Chicora's ladder truck to fight flames shooting from the roof.

The following departments responded to the fire: Chicora, East Butler, Bruin, Oneida Valley, Emlenton, Petrolia, Sugarcreek Township, Unionville and West Sunbury, and Butler Ambulance.