HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVT Fire gutted this doublewide home Tuesday morning. HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVT A family friend offers comfort to the children. No one was injured. Advertisement

A fire that broke out shortly after 9 a.m. yesterday totally destroyed a doublewide that was in use as a family residence on the far west side.

The home, occupied by James and Heather Pope, was on a lot at the corner of Shady Lane and Woodchips Road.

The owner is reported to live in Las Vegas.

It was presumed yesterday morning that a space heater in use as a stove initiated the fire.

Although Valley Electric was sought on several occasions, they did not respond until the flames had been brought under control.

All the residents, including six children aged 12 and down, were forced to flee the scene with only the clothing on their backs and no shoes. Nearly a dozen chickens and geese on the property fled as well.

None was injured, but Fire Chief Scott Lewis said, "It was a good thing they got out when they did. This was a rapidly advancing fire."

The family was relocated to No to Abuse. Red Cross representatives were on the scene within the hour, said Lewis.