KEARNEY, Neb. — A rural Kearney house is seriously damaged after a fire on Wednesday morning.

The Kearney Volunteer Fire Department responded to the fire call in the 7000 block of West 96th St. around 8:30. The house is in a development just south of Riverdale.

According to a news release, the initial report said a dumpster was on fire and flames were spreading up the side of the house. When firefighters arrived, they found heavy smoke and flames on the side of the house and heavy smoke coming from the attic. The release says everyone got out of the house on their own and firefighters safely retrieved pets from inside. The fire department says crews pulled down ceilings inside the home in order to extinguish the fire in the attic.

The Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Office is still investigating the cause of the blaze. The Red Cross is assisting the victims. 23 firefighters and eight fire department vehicles responded to the call.