FORWARD TWP — A 14-year-old boy saved his family’s five dogs after his home caught fire Tuesday afternoon.

Steve Bicehouse, assistant fire chief with the Evans City Volunteer Fire Department, said the fire began about 2 p.m. on the exterior of a two-story home at 143 Leisie Road.

Bicehouse said the boy wrangled five dachshunds up into a crate before fleeing the home. The teen then attempted to extinguish the flames with a garden hose before fire crews arrived at the scene.

“When we got here it was mostly out,” Bicehouse said.

The fire damaged the front corner of the home, belonging to the boy’s mother, Lynn Adams-Taylor.

Taylor, who was at work at the time of the fire, and her son are the home’s only occupants.

Bicehouse said he is unsure what started the fire. He estimated the damage to the exterior at about $25,000, but said there was little damage to the inside of the structure.

“It’s still livable,” he said.

Taylor declined to comment at the scene. The boy’s name was not available.

The Evans City Volunteer Fire Department was assisted by Adams Area, Callery, and Penn Township volunteer fire departments.