PENN TWP — Fire officials continue to investigate the cause of a Friday night blaze that badly damaged an old farmhouse.

No one was injured in the fire at 114 Beacon Light Road that is not believed to be suspicious, authorities said.

The two-story house will likely have to be torn down, investigators acknowledged Monday.

Elderly sisters Genevieve Wuenstel and Mary Wuenstel and a nephew, who lived there, are temporarily staying with a friend, said Kevin Brown, spokesman for the Red Cross’ West Central Pennsylvania Chapter that includes Butler, Beaver, Lawrence and Mercer counties.

“We’re providing food, clothing and shoes for them,” Brown said.

All three occupants were home when the fire struck about 8:30 p.m.

Middlesex Township police responded to an open line call to Butler County 911, authorities aid.

Middlesex police has a mutual aid agreement with Penn Township police, who had no officers on duty that night.

“Apparently someone inside the house called 911 and then laid the phone down before fleeing,” said Middlesex police Sgt. Randy Ruediger.

The officer was already on his way when a neighbor across the street called 911 to report the fire.

“It was burning pretty good when I got there,” Ruediger said. “It appeared that it started in the rear corner of the building and was coming out the windows.”

The kitchen area is believed to have been in that back corner, authorities said.

The house is behind Tim Duncan’s home. The two properties share a tree line.

“I saw fire trucks go by and looked out the kitchen window,” Duncan said. “The whole house was on fire. It was pretty scary.”

Firefighters from at least five departments battled the blaze.

“But the fire departments never had a chance,” Ruediger said. “It was such an old house and had too much of a head start.”

Duncan agreed: “When it went up, it went up.”

Deb Krelow, owner of the nearby Beacon Hotel, hopped in her car and drove about one-half mile to the scene to get a better look.

“The firefighters were absolutely amazing in getting it contained,” she said.

But it took time, primarily due to gusty winds that continued to fuel the fire, witnesses said.

“Every time it looked like the fire was finally under control, a big gust of wind would come by and get the fire going again,” Duncan said.

Eventually, witnesses said, the top floor collapsed onto the bottom floor.

The whipping winds also caught trees in nearby woods on fire.

“Embers were flying back in the woods and caught one particularly big tree on fire,” Krelow said. “It was pretty intense.”

The blaze was not reported out until 10:30 or 11 p.m.

The Penn Township Volunteer Fire Department was in charge of the fire fight, however calls to several line officers were not returned.

Charlie May, the department president, declined to comment.

Penn Township firefighters returned to the house Saturday morning to snuff out the remaining hot spots.