EVANS CITY — An unattended candle ignited a fire Sunday morning that destroyed a two-story house on South Washington Street, authorities said.

A 14-year-old boy and his girlfriend were in the home when the blaze started about 7 a.m. but were able to escape. The girl, believed to be between 14 and 16, was later treated at a hospital for apparent smoke inhalation.

The boy's family had rented the house at 126 S. Washington St., and was in the process of moving out after being evicted by owner Patrick Boylan of Zelienople.

His parents and some of their eight children, ages 5 to 16, had recently been staying at a motel during the eviction process, said Evans City-Seven Fields Regional Police Chief Joe McCombs.

Other children were staying with grandparents.

A complete report appears in Monday's Butler Eagle.