(La Porte County, IN) - The cause of a house fire resulting in substantial damage near Hanna is under investigation.

 

Emergency responders from multiple agencies were called to the 2600 block of W. 1500 South early in the afternoon on Friday.

 

According to La Porte County Police, a woman had just returned to her bi-level home with her children then soon one of the kids spotted a large amount of smoke billowing from the attached garage.

 

Hanna Township Fire Chief Tony Wallace said the 30 to 40 mile per hour winds blew the flames toward the residence.

 

“It just started working its way across the ceiling and into the walls of the main level,” he said.

 

Wallace said the fire was stopped before it reached the upper level of the structure but the first floor of the home was significantly damaged by the fire.  Mulitple cats along with a bird perished in the blaze.

 

It’s believed the fire started somewhere in the attached garage but the cause is not known and remains under investigation, he said. The gusty winds also caused a nearby field to catch on fire.

 

Wallace said about two acres burned before the flames in the field were put out.