Firefighters battle a blaze that broke out Monday morning at a house on North Road in Franklin Township. No one was injured in the fire that authorities believes was electrical in nature. Damage was estimated at $45,000 to $50,000.

FRANKLIN TWP — An apparently accidental fire forced a family out of its North Road house Monday morning, authorities said.

No one was injured, but the one-story home was badly damaged in the blaze, which erupted in the basement shortly before 6:45 a.m.

“I believe it was electrical and started in the basement,” Ken Wilson, chief of the Prospect Volunteer Fire Department, said. “There is nothing suspicious.”

Between 25 and 30 firefighters from five departments responded to the call and found heavy smoke coming from the house owned by William Rodgers on the 100 block of North Road, about four-tenths of a mile north of Route 422.

An attack crew got into the house through the basement, but conditions other than the fire presented an immediate challenge to firefighters attempting to access the source of the blaze.

“We were unable to get the fire contained due to the conditions we encountered — hoarder conditions,” Wilson said. “Nothing unsanitary, just a lot of stuff, mostly clothes.”

He described some items in boxes and some stacked on each other throughout the basement and the main floor.

The fire eventually breached the wall and made its way into the attic.

Among the fire vehicles deployed was the Butler Township Fire District 3 ladder truck.

Two firefighters made their way up a conventional step ladder and onto the roof in front of the house armed with a pike pole and chain saw.

“We ventilated (the roof),” Wilson said, “and were able to get the fire under control in the attic.”

But he guessed it took an hour before the fire finally was contained. A large amount of air-compressed foam was used to get the job done.

The foam is designed to cool and smother a fire, and it helps eliminate oxygen needed for combustion.

Authorities estimated the damage at $45,000 to $50,000. The house was insured.

“I don't believe it's a total loss,” Wilson said, “but it's going to take some restoration.”

The Butler County chapter of the American Red Cross was notified. But the family, which officials believe numbers five, apparently has a place to live until repairs are made.

Assisting the Prospect and Butler Township Fire District 3 departments were firefighters from Unionville, Slippery Rock and Lick Hill.