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The Duluth Fire Department responded at 5:42 AM to a fire at 209 South 90th Ave West.  The caller reported smoke in the basement and that they were trying to wake everyone and get them out of the house.  The dispatcher could hear someone in the backround yelling for help.

When firefighters arrived on scene they found smoke coming from the house and were told that everyone had escaped the building.  Fire crews took a hose line to the basement and had a difficult time finding the fire due to heavy smoke and heat. They then realized that a water line had broken above the fire and extinguished most of the flames, but not before the fire had spread to the first floor through the heating vents.  An attack was made on the first floor and extensive fire there was knocked down in a bedroom.  Ceilings were pulled and the extension to the attic was extinguished before it spread from the bedroom area.

The damage to the home is extensive.  Half of the basement was destroyed by heat and flames with the entire basement and its contents covered in heavy soot.  The first floor of the house has heavy heat and flame damage to one bedroom and the hallway.  All of the first floor has heavy heat and smoke damage thoughout.  The attic has minor burning to structural members and also damage to the roof deck caused by ventilation during firefighting operations.  Most of the contents are either burned or smoke damaged beyond repair.  The owner's did not have any insurance on the property or contents.

The homeowners daughter was the first to know of the fire due to a smoke detector installed in her bedroom.  When exiting the room she saw flames coming up through the heating duct into her bedroom.  All four family members escaped the fire without injury.  The damage to the building will not allow the family to stay in their home.  Red Cross will provide  the family with temporary emergency housing and meals.

The firefighting operation included twenty firefighters on seven fire apparatus.  There were no injuries to any firefighters.  The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.  The Duluth Fire Marshall's office will conduct an investigation into the cause and origin of the fire.