Fire this afternoon caused extensive damage to a house on Beechwood Drive.

Lieutenant B.J. Harris of the Roanoke Rapids Fire Department said occupants of the house got out safely.

The first call went out shortly before 1:45 p.m. and a second alarm was sounded around nine minutes later to the 200 block of the neighborhood.

Harris said firefighters observed fire coming out of a left side door as well as from a double sliding door in the back.

Firefighters tapped a 5-inch hose into a hydrant on Beechwood for water supply and also used two inch-and-three-quarter hoses for the rear and side door.

Firefighters checked for hotspots and then used foam to soak the entire area to make sure there were no further hotspots.

Harris said it probably took “a good 10 minutes” to get the fire knocked down and under control.

Assistant Chief of Operations Richard Cook investigated and determined residents were cooking on the stove and it “got away from them,” Harris said.

The house sustained extensive damage and Dominion had to pull power. As of this report the house is considered uninhabitable, Harris said.

The Red Cross was called for assistance.

The kitchen, living room and dining room sustained mainly fire damage while there was smoke and heat damage throughout the dwelling. Two pet cats perished, Harris said.

About 16 firefighters, including those off-duty, responded, along with Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad and Halifax EMS.