T-L Photo/ROBERT A. DEFRANK A Lincoln Avenue house in Shadyside was badly damaged by a fire Thursday. The residents were not at home, but three pets died.

SHADYSIDE — No people were injured in a Shadyside house fire on Thursday, but the home was badly damaged and the family’s pets did not survive.

Firefighters from multiple departments were called to the home on Lincoln Avenue in Shadyside Thursday morning and found the house ablaze. OR&W Fire District Chief Dave Lenz said the firefighters contended with a bad situation that morning.

“Significant damage to the house. It apparently started in the basement. We don’t know the reason yet or the cause, but the fire went through up to the kitchen and up to the attic, so the house is probably going to be a total loss,” Lenz said.

“Unfortunately there were pets in the house – two dogs and a cat they lost. The homeowners weren’t home. They were at work at the time,” Lenz said, adding that the animals likely were dead by the time responders arrived. “They were out by the front door, which is usually where they stay. We figured the smoke inhalation probably killed them. It didn’t take very long, probably.”

The department put out an alarm for help from the surrounding departments. Responders came from Powhatan Point, Neffs, Martins Ferry, Moundsville, Cumberland Trail Fire District in St. Clairsville and Richland Township assisted.

“We had to call multiple departments all over the valley for extra help,” he said. “As far as putting out the fire, we just had to get enough crews there. We made an interior attack. We were able to get the fire knocked down, but as I said it’s probably a total loss.”

The operation took about an hour once firefighters were inside.

“It was up in the ceiling and the attic. You had to pull down ceilings to get to the fire,” he said.

Lenz said the fire was doused before any nearby homes were threatened.

“There wasn’t any exposure problems,” he said.

The state fire marshal has been contacted to investigate.

“There’s nothing suspicious,” he said. “We just want to make sure of the point of origin and what the cause was.”

The freezing cold weather Thursday morning complicated the operation and led to another hazard.

“Difficult fires, this time of year you get them unfortunately. It was extremely cold this morning. It was about zero. It made it very difficult to fight, but nobody got hurt, that’s the important thing,” Lenz said. “You’ve got to be really careful of frostbite. It makes it very difficult. Ice obviously on the ground.”

Lenz thanked the Lincoln Avenue United Methodist Church for providing sandwiches and drinks at the scene.

“We really appreciate that,” he said.

Late Thursday afternoon a cleaning service was at work around the house. Several people were looking over the damage but did not wish to comment.