Jackson house destroyed by fire; no one in building

Jackson firefighters responded to a report of a structure fire on North Farmington Road early Thursday.

The fire was reported by someone who saw the smoke from across the street, said Capt. Steve Grant of the Jackson Fire Department.

When firefighters arrived, they saw smoke and fire blowing out of the structure. Initial reports said the house was occupied, but responding officers were able to confirm it was empty because it was being remodeled.

"Our initial attack was to confine [the] fire to structure," Grant said.

A few nearby structures were temporarily in jeopardy, but firefighters managed to keep the heat from damaging them.

It took 30 to 45 minutes to get the fire well under control, Grant said.

The house suffered extensive damage, with just the outer shell of the building remaining, Grant said.

The Fruitland, Gordonville and Millersville fire departments also responded to the fire.