The fire started in a dryer just after Jane McClain put clothes in it at her home, 249 Wet Track Road, said Fire Chief Ron Ziglear.

"She put clothes in the dryer and all of a sudden it exploded," Ziglear said.

Fire quickly spread up a wall and the house was in flames by the time firefighters arrived.

Mrs. McClain, who was not injured, and the family dog got out safely. Her husband, John, was already outside cutting grass, Ziglear said.

The single-family house was an older model.

"They just did a lot of remodeling to it," Ziglear said. "They were in the process of doing more remodeling."

Ziglear said he did not have a dollar value of the loss, but noted the interior was gutted.

Firefighters have ruled the fire an accident.

The couple are believed to be staying with either a friend or a relative, Ziglear said.

Shenango volunteer firefighters, who were called at 11:42 a.m., were assisted by West Middlesex and Pulaski firefighters.