GIRARD - Early Thursday, Girard Fire Department received a call from post office employees who said they saw and smelled smoke in the area.

By 6 a.m., they arrived at a home just around the corner where flames were shooting through the roof. The three people inside unaware of the fire that had broken out in their attic.

"I don't believe they had smoke detectors," Girard Capt. Sal Ponzio said. "It's a good thing they (postal workers) found the smoke, or they (the family) probably wouldn't have made it through."

According to Fire Department reports, firefighters responded to the two-story 72 E. Main St. duplex home about 6 a.m. When they got there, the homeowner, Lee Gillette, was in her bedroom on the first floor and two tenants were in their apartment on the second floor. Ponzio said he believed firefighters helped the three out of the home.

The post office is located at 19 N. Market St., less than a quarter of a mile from the house.

The department was assisted by Weathersfield Township Fire Department, and firefighters were on the scene about five hours, he said.

The home is near the entrance to St. Rose School, Ponzio said. The street was closed off, and while the school wasn't damaged, it was closed for the day.

The home is a total loss and will have to be demolished, Ponzio said.

A loss estimate was not available as of Thursday and the cause of the fire remained under investigation.

The American Red Cross of Mercer and Trumbull counties were assisting the residents, he said.

Gillette could not be reached for comment Thursday.

dloreno@tribtoday.com