According to South Salisbury Fire Chief Michael Goodman, Alexander smelled smoke and woke her parents, Ivery and Ruth Alexander. They all got out unharmed but saved nothing beyond the clothes on their backs, Goodman said.

By the time fire trucks arrived on the scene, flames were going through the roof and windows.

In addition to South Salisbury, the fire companies from Granite Quarry, Faith, Locke and Bostian Heights departments responded along with the Fire Marshals office.

Firefighters thought they had extinguished the fire and returned to their stations, but about 8 a.m. it flared up again and a tanker from South Salisbury returned to put it out.

Goodman said the cold weather makes it hard to tell when a fire is out because smoke and steam often look alike.

The home consisted of an original structure and an addition. Goodman said the addition was burned beyond repair. But the damage in the original portion appeared to be mostly smoke and heat, and the family should be able to repair it. In the meantime, they will be staying with family members.