A home outside of Kountze on Hwy. 418 was destroyed by a blaze that was suspected of starting from a grease fire. -Photo courtesy Suzanne Stoeppleman

A Kountze woman awoke to flames, smoke and the sound of exploding cans Saturday night after falling asleep while cooking.

According to Jim Stoeppleman, Kountze Fire Chief, the blaze occurred on Highway 418, a short distance outside of Kountze city limits. Stoeppleman stated that his team received the call at approximately 8:15 p.m. Saturday night and were on the scene within two minutes.

"Even though we were all only minutes away, we found the home to be fully engulfed upon arrival", Stoeppleman stated.

Family members all made it out of the home safely but a family pet was found unconscious by the front door.

Firemen worked hard and were able to revive the animal but it died a short time later.

After an investigation, the fire has been ruled as an accident and began as a grease fire in the kitchen and quickly engulfed the entire residence.