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As the fire kindled in his attic about 11 a.m., Safko was at first unaware of a problem. Safko's grandson Andrew Ruthenberg, 17, happened to notice the smoking roof on his grandfather's house next door. Janine Ruthenberg escorted her father and his cocker spaniel safely out of the house.

Up to 20 firefighters battled the blaze for about four hours. The Almont Township Fire Department was assisted by Imlay City and Bruce Township firefighters.

"It was a difficult one to fight. We had a tough time getting at it," said Almont Township Fire Chief Paul Wilcox. "It was an older farm house with different type of construction. We poked through the ceiling and found out there was a floor there."

Firefighters were able to save the home.

"It got into the attic, and damaged the northeast corner of the house," Wilcox said. "The rest of the house is okay."

A cause has not yet been determined, but its thought the flare-up began around the fireplace area. There were no damage estimates available at press time Tuesday.

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