A fire yesterday afternoon at 328 Hale Lane in Bellefonte destroyed the home of Robert Shawley.

The Undine, Logan and Pleasant Gap Fire Departments all assisted in putting out the blaze, which began around 3:30 when Shawley was at a friend's house two blocks away and his wife was at work. The couple's two dogs and cat were rescued by firefighters.

The cause of the fire is still unknown, but Shawley said he thought the home's gas heat might to be blame, said Undine Fire Department Chief Rich Watson.

Five fire trucks were on the scene within minutes of a call by one of Shawley's neighbors who reported the fire, Watson said.

"Our men did a terrific job. They had the fire completely knocked down in ten minutes," Watson said.

Despite being able to put out the fire quickly, Watson said the small one-story home was completely destroyed but surrounding structures were not affected.

The Bellefonte fire marshal will look at the house this morning to try to determine the fire's cause.

Shawley and his wife are staying with family in the Bellefonte area.

— by Lily Henning