The family lost everything, including some of their pets.

Fire broke out at the home on Cable Road outside of Weirton just after 6 pm.

"It's a total loss. When we got on scene there was heavy smoke and fire coming through the top windows," said Oakland Fire Chief David Laughlin.

Multiple crews worked to knock out the house fire as quick as they could, but it was coming too fast and too strong.

"The family was at home, but they got out and called us," said Laughlin.

The husband and wife made it out just fine and they were able to rescue some of their pets, but several didn't make it.

"We weren't able to get to them in time," said Laughlin.

Because the flames spread so fast, crews couldn't fight it from the inside.

"We couldn't get to it because it was already going through the roof, so we had to do everything through the exterior," said Laughlin.

Because the house was so tall, the chief said a ladder truck would have really helped, but they couldn't get it down the road because with all the other trucks, it just wasn't wide enough.

The couple refused medical treatment at the scene and didn't want to talk about losing their home -- they just stood back and watched it go up in smoke.

Laughlin said he can't determine a cause just yet, but doesn't believe the fire is suspicious.

His department will do their investigation, then determine whether the state fire marshal needs to be called in.