CHICORA — A homeowner managed to escape a fire early this morning that destroyed his 128-year-old home in the borough’s business district.

Chicora firefighters later rescued the owner’s dog that was in a cage in the two-story wood-frame house at 110 S. Main St., authorities said.

The state police fire marshal’s office has been called in to investigate but the blaze shortly after midnight did not appear to be suspicious.

A wood-burning stove used to heat the home may have sparked the fire, said Chief Jason Miller of the Chicora Volunteer Fire Department.

Joseph P. Steele, who lived alone at the house, was up but by the time he noticed the fire, it had gotten a head start, authorities said.

Miller said the fire appeared to have started in the back of the house in the area of the wood burner.

Steele used a fire extinguisher but he had to retreat from the home when he saw the fire had made it to the second floor.

Some 50 firefighters from nine departments battled the blaze. An attack crew going through the house found Steele’s dog, pulled it out of the cage and rushed the animal outside.

“The dog was given oxygen and seemed to be OK,” Miller said.

The fire was under control in about an hour, but hot spots kept firefighters there for another two hours.

Miller estimated damage to the house and it contents at $100,000.

Authorities said Steele is temporarily staying with family in the Chicora area.