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Dryden Township firefighters were called to a farmhouse owned by the Kaminski family on Rochester Road about 6:48 a.m.

"The homeowner called it in to 9-1-1," said Dryden Township Fire Chief Ray Evans. "She was drying clothes and her dryer started to smoke. It spread quickly."

The Dryden Fire Department was backed up by firefighters from Almont and Addison Township in Macomb County. About 25 firefighters were on the scene for more than three hours. Dryden Township Police shut down Rochester Road from Casey to General Squier Road from 7 a.m. to about 10:30 a.m., said Dryden Police Chief Larry Pack.

"The cold weather wasn't a factor in this fire," Evans said. "The location was. It was hard to get to."

Firefighters were concerned with the old farmhouse's balloon style construction that has no fire stops in the wall.

"We contained the fire to the kitchen and the laundry room," Evans said. "The rest of the home had smoke and water damage."

The family was able to save their two pet dogs, but six pet cats were lost in the fire. The American Red Cross was on the scene and helped the three find lodging and clothing. The family has insurance.

The County Press was unable to contact the family following the fire. Friends of the family hope to care for their animals if they need help.

Susan Younger may be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8122 or susan.younger@lapeergroup.com