A space heater is believed to be the cause of a fire Thursday night that left a Gaston family homeless.

Gaston Fire Department Chief Ed Porter Jr. said this afternoon there was too much damage to determine whether the electric space heater malfunctioned or was too close to fabric in a family room area.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene on Blythe Road shortly before 7:30 p.m.

Crews that included Gaston Fire and Rescue and the Garysburg Fire Department found the single-story home engulfed, flames coming out of the roof at both ends of the structure.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the massive blaze.

A large family lived in the house but none were home. Firefighters salvaged some clothing and personal items but the majority of the family’s belongings were destroyed.

Fire crews remained on scene for almost three hours.