EMLENTON, Venango County — A fire of unknown origin claimed an old wooden house on Main Street Friday night.

Tina Wolf, the house's owner, and her three young grandchildren who she was looking after got out of the burning house safely around 5 p.m. Her two dogs also were safely escorted out of the house with help from firefighters.

Neighbor Rob Brown said the family and animals took refuge in his house before making arrangements to stay with relatives nearby.

“What's most important is that everybody got out safe,” he said. American Red Cross was also called to provide relief.

More than 100 firefighters and emergency responders from 17 companies battled the blaze for more than five hours. They arrived on scene quickly and were able to keep the fire from spreading to a neighboring house and nearby garage.

The first floor of the house suffered extensive water damage and the structure will be considered a total loss, said Emlenton Assistant Fire Chief Barry Louise.