Seminole Fire officials: Family driven from home by fire, pets perish

GENEVA, Fla. - A Seminole County Fire official says an early morning house fire forced a family of five from their home and caused the death of several pets in Geneva on Friday.

According to the official, all  the family  members, 2 adults and 3 children,  were transported to the hospital as a precaution.

In an interview at the scene,  Battalion Chief Phil Pershing said crews faced challenges when they arrived because the roads were dark and there are no fire hydrants in the rural area where the

 home is located.

A tanker truck was called in, and more units than fighting a normal house fire, the chief said.

Though the family got out safely, several animals inside the home perished, though officials have not released an exact number.

A release from Seminole Fire says the fire broke out just after 2:30 in the morning on East Osceola Road, starting in the kitchen and spreading to the attic.   

Several animals outside the home appear to be okay.

The Red Cross has been contacted to assist the family.