ELIZABETH TOWNSHIP — A family is homeless today after a fire destroyed their Elizabeth Township house Thursday afternoon.

Elizabeth Township Fire Chief Dale Waugh said the Tim Stormes residence was a total loss.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation although he believes the fire originated in the back corner of a bedroom. No one was home at the time of the fire, Waugh said.

Seven fire departments with 10 trucks and 34 firefighters battled the blaze.

“We needed water,” Waugh said. “Decatur, Lawrence and Perry were there with their tankers as a water supply. They were having to drive three-quarters of a mile, maybe further to get water.”

Upper Township, Coal Grove and Hamilton Township fire departments also provided mutual aid.