Volunteer firefighters from eight departments responded to a fire Monday afternoon at 181 Main St. in Karns City that destroyed half of a duplex and killed two dogs.

KARNS CITY — Volunteer firefighters from eight departments responded to a fire at 12:38 p.m. Monday that destroyed half of a duplex and killed two dogs.

Homeowner Teresa Shay said an electrician was looking into electrical problems in the duplex at 181 Main St. before the fire started.

“The electrician was here. He was checking the wiring. A fuse popped and he was checking the wires,” Shay said.

Shay said she went to the other half of the duplex — 183 Main St. — where she lives with her husband and mother when she heard her husband, who was driving past the duplex, yell, “Get out. There's a fire.”

Chief Charles Barnes of Petrolia Volunteer Fire Department said the fire started in a front room facing Main Street and spread into the home's attic.

“The fire marshal is coming to investigate, but it's not believed to be suspicious,” Barnes said.

Shay said her niece had been staying in the duplex and was planning to move in. Her niece owned the dogs that died, she said.

“Thank God nobody was hurt including the firemen. Everything else is replaceable,” said Shay, who grew up in the house. “The fire department, I appreciate these guys so much. They are so awesome. I don't know which ones are here, but they're awesome people.”

Unionville, Emlenton, North Washington Township, Bruin and Chicora volunteer fire departments responded to the fire. Manpower from the Sugarcreek and East Brady fire departments also responded, Barnes said.