Home, pets lost in fire

QUINCY —Grant County Fire District No. 3 extinguished a duplex fire in the 500 block of Beverly Burke Road near Quincy this morning.

"Upon our arrival the center part of the building was completely involved," Fire Chief Don Fortier said.

The fire was called in at 2:12 a.m. and 17 firefighters responded. The fire was extinguished within 20 minutes, he added.

"It's probably a total loss," he said about the duplex.

All the occupants exited the residence without injuries, he said.

An occupant woke up before the smoke detectors went off for an unknown reason and noticed the fire, Fire Marshal Dave Nelson said.

Two dogs, a cat and a bird were lost due to the fire, Nelson said.

The source of the fire was a wall heater in the utility room, he said. It might have malfunctioned leading to the fire.

No other buildings were in danger of catching fire because the closest building was across the street.