Family escapes fire

BISMARCK — The Bismarck Fire Department had their hands full this morning with a first-alarm residential fire just before 5 a.m. The fire occurred at a split level home located at 3309 Rock Road. Bismarck Fire Chief Steve Dickey said a neighbor alerted the residents that their home was on fire.

“Luckily, the neighbor saw it and warned the residents who were home at the time,” Dickey said. “Everyone made it out OK. When we got on the scene we encountered heavy fire coming from the rear of the house.”

Dickey said his department made its initial attack to the back of the house and the fire was brought under control within an hour. He said there was extensive damage to the house.

“There was quite a bit of fire,” Dickey said. “It was rolling when we got there.”

The cause of the blaze is under investigation by the state fire marshal’s office.

Bismarck, Farmington, Park Hills, Leadwood, Doe Run and Irondale responded to the fire.