WATSONTOWN – Three family members, whose Route 44 home caught fire Monday night, April 23, escaped through doors and windows as the blaze worsened, according to a local fire chief.

The residents in the home at the time of the fire included husband and wife, Mark and Sunny Phillips and Mark Phillips’ brother, Dave Phillips, said Douglas Funk, chief of Warrior Run Area Fire Department.

As flames crawled towards the roof, Dave Phillips left through the front door before the fire blocked the exit, leaving the other two residents to find their way out through windows.

“The husband as well as the assistant chief helped the wife out of their finished basement (window),” Funk said.

Soon after the residents were clear of the burning home, the fire spread to the roof and inside the walls. Funk said while the damage to the home was extensive, the fire was knocked down quickly due to the help of a nearby fire hydrant.

“Overall the operation went pretty well,” he said. “This is an area of the township that has hydrants and we had one readily available.”

While the flames still were raging, one of the residents rushed the family dog to an emergency veterinary hospital. The family of three is being assisted by the American Red Cross and will be staying at the residence of a family member, according to Funk.

The origin of the fire still is under investigation, added Funk.

Warrior Run Fire Department, Milton Fire Department, Turbot Township Fire Co., White Deer Township Fire Department, Montgomery Volunteer Fire and Lewisburg Fire Department all arrived at the scene of the fire.