A family of four is staying with relatives after their house at 180 Cherokee Trail caught fire Wednesday afternoon.

The homeowner said her two teenage sons were home when the fire broke out. They were able to escape along with the family’s two inside dogs without injury. She was at work when the fire broke out and came home after she got word that her house was on fire.

According to Franklin Volunteer Fire Department Chief Ryan Hooker, firefighters were dispatched at 12:18 p.m. and the fire was extinguished by 12:30 p.m. The family had been using wood for heat, and the fire was contained to the attic.

Hooker believes the fire started in the home’s chimney and spread to the attic. He said the two boys who were home when the fire started noticed the smoke and called 911. Hooker said there is no suspicion surrounding the fire.

“The home sustained mostly fire damage and a little bit of water damage to the living room due to the fire in the attic. The house is unlivable at this time,” Hooker said.

Family members and firefighters were able to salvage a couple of TVs, some clothes, mounted deer heads and a curio cabinet. The homeowners do have insurance.

In addition to Franklin VFD, the Pine Ridge and Cana, Va., volunteer fire departments responded to the fire. The White Plains Volunteer Fire Department was placed on standby at Franklin’s station during the fire.

The Mount Airy Rescue Squad and Surry County Emergency Services also responded for medical stand-by.

Contact Mondee Tilley at mtilley@mtairynews.com or at 719-1930.