Nikiski's assistant fire chief saw a large column of smoke when he was leaving the fire station Tuesday morning and discovered a house on fire on Birch Lane.
Warren Isham immediately called dispatch and, within minutes, a fire engine was on the scene, but flames already had erupted through the roof of the one-story ranch house.
Seventeen firefighters using one engine, two tankers and a rescue truck managed to contain the blaze within approximately 12 minutes, but not before it destroyed the home's three bedrooms and caused extensive high-heat damage to the kitchen and living room.
No one was home at the time and no injuries were reported.
Firefighters did manage to save the attached garage area of the 1,500 square-foot building.
Isham said the fire originated in one of the rear bedrooms of the house, but a cause has not been determined.
He said the homeowners, who he identified as Mr. and Mrs. Holmes, were in Texas and had a caretaker look in on the home periodically.
A guest had stayed in the home earlier Tuesday morning, but left at about 6:30 a.m. The fire was discovered at 8:50.
Isham estimated the value of the house at $160,000 and said the amount of the loss was about $120,000.
At one point, the gas meter burned off the building causing something to rupture, Isham said, producing a sound like that of a large-caliber gun being fired.
The fire was declared out at 9:30 a.m.
