(La Porte County, IN) - The cause of a house fire in Mill Creek is under investigation.

Firefighters early Monday afternoon responded to the 2400 block of Taylor Road. According to La Porte County Police, the homeowner, Betty Hildebrandt told investigators she placed a pan containing oil and grease from cooking chicken nuggets on the stove.

Hildebrandt said she then covered the pan and left to pick-up a pizza.  Her son later discovered a fire in the kitchen.

Most of the damage was around the stove in the kitchen where the entire ceiling was blackened by fire and smoke, police said.  The entire livingroom floor leading into the kitchen was filled with water from extinguishing the flames.