A house was destroyed by fire on Thursday in La Porte County, with firefighters, at about 9 a.m., responding to Fail Road just north of U.S. 20.

 

There, heavy smoke billowed from the single-story ranch structure north of La Porte and west of Rolling Prairie as flames shot up from the roof.

 

Dan and Nicole Adams had lived there for just over 25 years, with neither one of them at home at the time of the incident. Their four dogs and cat were inside but made it out safely, per Mrs. Adams

 

Adams said she was at her job as a dietician at the Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City and rushed home upon being notified on her phone by some friends about the blaze. She watched in disbelief and sadness as firefighters fought a losing battle to save the home.

 

“It’s total devastation. All of my kids’ childhood memories. We raised our family there.  At least the animals are out,” she said.

 

She said her husband was at a shop having a tire changed on a skid steer when he also learned about the fire via his mobile device.

 

Adams noted that all of her children are away and in college except for her son, who lives in Florida. There were horses on the property, but they were in a building far away enough not to be threatened by the fire.

 

Adams said she and her husband bought the house just before getting married in 1999.   

 

“It’s our first home,” Adams said, her voice beginning to crack.

 

An investigation will soon begin in hopes of uncovering the cause of the fire.

 

Responding agencies included the Kankakee Township and Springfield Township volunteer fire departments.