Firefighters battled a massive house fire early Sunday morning in Jefferson County, and officials said a house on the very same spot exploded three years ago.

Sunday morning smoke was still billowing from the burned out shell of a home on County Road 56. Neighbors said a massive fire destroyed the house earlier in the day. Firefighters said they rushed to the scene, but the home was already too damaged to save.

"When we got within a mile of it we could tell it was fully involved, said Fire Chief Jim Bateman, of Pleasant Hill Volunteer Fire Department. It burned through the roof when we got to the structure."

John Rhine lives across the street from the home. He saw the fire this morning and said his immediate concern was for the five children inside.

"It's gut wrenching. It makes you sick," said Rhine. "We hear them screaming over there, then the little boy came up to the yard and said everyone was out okay, so we called the fire department."

The four alarm fire brought back memories of a similar incident that happened just a few years ago in the very same spot.

"This is the same house that two years ago had a propane explosion," said Bateman.

In November 2003, the house that stood on the same spot of Sundays fire, exploded. That home was owned by the same man.

Neighbors said the explosion was so strong that it damaged houses across the street. There was no explosion Sunday, but the newly constructed home was destroyed all the same.

Firefighters spent six hours on the scene, and said there are no fire hydrants near the home. Bateman said hydrants would help battle fires on County road 56.

"Having this many fires in this short of time, we need some hydrants," said Bateman.

The family is now staying with relatives. Officials are looking into just what caused the fire.

John Paul, NEWS9