ROME TOWNSHIP - A fire Wednesday night destroyed a Rome Township house.

Rome Township Volunteer Fire Department Deputy Chief Mike Boster said the fire started at approximately 11:30 p.m. in the garage of

the Jack Harris residence but later spread to the rest of the house. Harris, his wife and two children escaped unharmed.

"The fire consumed about half of the structure but due to the amount of smoke and heat damage I'd say the house was a total loss," Boster said. The fire was apparently electrical in nature.

Firefighters were able to help the family recover some of their personal belongings from the fire.

Boster said the family had initially alerted authorities because they heard noises coming from the garage and thought they were being burglarized.

Rome Township firefighters were on the scene until early this morning, and received assistance from Proctorville and Chesapeake-Union fire departments, the Proctorville Police Department and the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office.

Harris is a former Fairland High School football coach.