A family from Dutchess County is trying to pick up the pieces after a fire destroyed their home.

Dutchess County firefighters were summoned to a report of a house on fire Sunday afternoon in the town of Milan. Milan Fire Chief Kurt Mizgier was first on the scene and observed flames extending through both the wall and the roof and requested a second alarm to be struck.

The occupants and the family's pet cat had already evacuated the house. Milan firefighters were joined at the scene by departments from Rhinebeck, Red Hook and Livingston.

Chief Mizgier called the joint efforts a "great job" as it pertained to fighting the fast-moving fire.

The fire was contained to the second story bedrooms, attic and roof. The rest of the house suffered substantial water damage and is no longer habitable.

A representative from the Red Cross was on hand to assist the occupants in finding temporary shelter. The Dutchess County Fire Investigation Unit is working to determine the cause and origin of the blaze.

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