UPDATE 9:02 a.m. SUNDAY: Saturday Fire Destroys Part of Apple Valley Home, Damages Another

Nobody was hurt in a Saturday house fire in Apple Valley that not only rendered the home unlivable, but because of high winds also damaged a neighboring house, according to a Twin Cities Fire Wire report. 

responded around 4:45 p.m. Saturday to a house fire at 14617 Hanover Ln., Apple Valley, between Upper 146th Street West and Hallmark Drive.

According to Dakota County property records, the split-level home in the Carrollton Estates neighborhood is owned by James H. Bennett and Erica D. Bennett.

Four people were inside the home at the time the fire started, and escaped safely, according to a WCCO report.

County records contain a photo of the home prior to the fire.

The fire began outside and spread indoors, Apple Valley Assistant Fire Chief Scott Mattingly told the Pioneer Press; the fire, smoke and water severely damaged the house, he told the Pioneer Press.

Neighbors on Saturday evening told Apple Valley Patch they saw the home's occupants huddled in blankets across the street. One neighbor said it appeared firefighters put out the fire four or five times, and that the roof in view in the front of the house was largely destroyed.

The fire was contained in about 45 minutes, according to the Twin Cities Fire Wire report. For more details and photos from the scene, see the Fire Wire report.

Apple Valley Patch will provide updates as they become available.

(Northfield Patch editor Corey Butler Jr. reported from the scene on Saturday.)