Firefighters got the call at 10:41 p.m. The fire, at 256 Pew Road, was fully involved by the time firefighters arrived, even though one firefighter was close by at the time, Benninghoff said.

The house was owned by Paula and Randy Hale, of 7200 W. Market St., Mercer. Benninghoff said the farmhouse was not their main residence.

The house was completely destroyed and collapsed before firefighters left the scene, Benninghoff said. A nearby 60-foot-by-30-foot garage was undamaged except for some vinyl siding that curled from the heat, he said.

The cause is undetermined, Benninghoff said. A damage estimate was unavailable.

Firefighters were on scene until about 2:30 a.m. and returned at 7:15 a.m. when the blaze rekindled, he said.

Transfer, Mercer and Jefferson Township firefighters assisted at the scene. Fredonia firefighters responded with three trucks and nine men, Benninghoff said.