BERTRAND TOWNSHIP — An intensive fire destroyed a ranch-style home on the corner of U.S. 12 and Bakertown Road in Bertrand Township Friday.

According to Bertrand Township Fire Chief Bill Knisely, firefighters responded to the call at approximately 11:30 a.m. at 6550 Bakertown Road, after the homeowner called 911.

Knisley said there were no people injured in the fire. A pet is believed to have perished in the blaze. The fire damaged no other homes in the area.

Knisely said the home was totaled in the blaze. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Firefighters believe the fire began in the basement of the house.

U.S. 12 at the Bakertown intersection was shut down, as well as Redbud and U.S. 12 while firefighters battled the blaze. Roads were re-opened around 5:30 p.m.

Knisely said a difficulty in battling the blaze was the amount of stuff that was in the home, which made getting to the fire a challenge.

As of 6 p.m. Friday, firefighters remained on scene to monitor hot spots. Knisely said he expected crews to be there for another one to two hours. Firefighters responded from the following areas to assist at the scene: Niles, Niles Township, Galien, New Carlisle Fire Department, Buchanan Township and Clay Fire Department of South Bend.

Knisely said crews will continue to investigate the cause of the fire.