A fire in the Ozona community destroyed a home, but fortunately no people were home at the time.

Three dogs were lost in the fire but no human lives were, said Carriere Fire Chief Tom Wagner.

Through the initial investigation, Fire Marshal Albert Lee said the fire started at the back of the house. Wagner said remnants of a fire place in northeast side of the house were found in that area so he speculates it was a family room.

“There’s no doubt it was in that area (the fire started),” Wagner said.

Wagner’s department got the call about the residential fire located at 70 Mill Creek Rd at about 7:29 p.m. Sunday. When firefighters arrived, they were told by neighbors that five people live in the house prompting firemen to approach the fire as though people were inside.

“That’s what you don’t want to hear,” Wagner said. “The search and rescue to get those people out is the first priority.”

After it was determined that no one was in the structure, the department, assisted by McNeill, Pine Grove, Southeast, Henleyfield and Picayune fire departments, fought the fire until about midnight, Wagner said. Also assisting in the call were the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department, Emergystat and Coast Electric which came out to cut the power.

“We had very good mutual aid support,” Wagner said.

Lee said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.