Lakeville Townhouse Damaged in Fire, Homeowners, Pets Unhurt

Three homeowners and their four pets are unhurt after their townhome caught fire around 12:30 p.m. today.

Zach Benson, his wife Sara and Zach's brother watched from a neighbor's yard as Lakeville's Fire Department battled the blaze in their home, located at 16138 Foliage Ave. W., for about an hour.

Zach, who took a half-day off from work,was home at the time, but wasn't alerted to the fire until a neighbor knocked on his door to let him know about the smoke.

"I called 911 and then called my wife to tell her to come home," he said.

Lakeville Fire Chief Mike Meyer said the cause of the fire is still unknown and the fire marshal is investigating.

Zach said he was told the fire began in an upstairs bathroom and spread to the attic.

"It's strange," he said of watching his home while fire crews walked in and out.

Sara Benson said she was still a bit shaky about it all.

"(Zach) called me and told me the house was on fire and to get home," she said. "I didn't know what to think. I still don't, I guess."

She said the family and pets have a place to stay for the night.

Eric Carel, 27, who lives two houses down said the same neighbor who alerted Zach, alerted him.

"About 20 or 30 minutes beforehand, I smelled some smoke, but I thought it was just somebody burning something... don't expect your neighbor's house to be on fire."

It could be days before the Lakeville Fire Department knows what caused the fire.

Apple Valley fire, Lakeville police, and Alina medical also responded to the incident.