The South Zanesville Fire Department was alerted to a miscellaneous fire in the area of South Willow Drive around 12:40 Tuesday morning.

Before crews arrived in the area, another call came in clarifying that it was a structure fire at 110 South Willow Drive.

South Zanesville Fire Department Chief Russ Taylor said that the entire back side of the home was on fire by the time crews arrived.

The three adults living in the home made it out before the firefighters arrived and no injuries were sustained. One of the three dogs that lived in the home died and one of the two cats is still missing, Taylor said.

Taylor said, between the fire and water damage, the home is a total loss, totaling an estimated $120,000.

“They have to start over … from scratch,” Taylor said.

The Red Cross was called in to assist those living in the home. The homeowner’s daughter lives next door to the home and Taylor said the three adults are staying with her until they can sort things out.

Zanesville, Newton Township, Falls Township and Washington Township Fire Departments were called in for assistance due to the amount of fire.

Upon Taylor and Zanesville Fire Department Interim Chief Doug Hobson’s investigation after the fire was put fire, both chiefs agreed that the fire broke out on the back deck that was converted into a bedroom. A small space heater was heating the room which Taylor and Hobson believe caused the fire.

Taylor urges anyone that is going to use a space heater throughout the colder months to take precautions to avoid overheating. He said to make sure the area around the heater is clear, so nothing is close enough to catch fire. Also, check any cords that are being used to make sure they aren’t overheating.

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