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The Rix family's two dogs and two cats died from the heat and the smoke that charred all the belongings inside their Klam Road home. An on-duty firefighter was stricken with heat exhaustion.

Mike and Melissa Rix and their three children, one is a newborn, were not at home when the 11 a.m. blaze was noticed inside in their kitchen. A neighbor spotted fire inside the rural two-story home and called 9-1-1.

"They saw the flames out of the kitchen window," said Columbiaville Assistant Fire Chief Greg Baker. "It kind of rolled out of the windows and upstairs. The kitchen windows broke out, and the fire went through an overhang on the porch and upstairs to the bedroom."

Up to 30 firefighters were on the scene; Deerfield and Otter Lake departments assisted the Columbiaville Fire Department. Otter Lake had to travel through the village to reach the home because the Klam Road bridge has been shut down for many years.

"Columbiaville was on the scene until 6:30 p.m.," Baker said. "We had problems because there was blown insulation on the second floor that was still smoldering."

One firefighter suffered from heat exhaustion and was treated with oxygen. He has recovered, said Baker.

Homeowner Mike Rix returned home as the fight to save his home was in progress.

"The kitchen and the upstairs are gutted," Baker said. "The home can probably be repaired but they lost everything. It was either charred or smoked. They just had a new baby and they lost furniture, formula, diapers and everything. They can't live in the home."

Baker called the American Red Cross who assisted the family. The County Press was unable to contact the Rix family; it's not known if they need clothing or shelter.

The 11-year-old home is insured. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. A loss estimate was unavailable at press time.

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