(BATAVIA TOWNSHIP) – A fire late Wednesday night destroyed a Batavia Township farm house.

Bronson Fire Chief Scott Wilber says his department was dispatched to a house at 540 Arbogast Road just after 11:30 Wednesday night. Wilber says they arrived on scene and the two story home had flames coming out of the windows on both floors. In addition, the enclosed porch was fully engulfed in flames.

Wilber says the windy conditions Wednesday night helped fan the flames and spread them quickly through the house.

The Colon, Union City and Sherwood Fire Departments were called in to provide mutual aid in battling the blaze and their tankers brought extra water.

Wilber says the occupant of the dwelling, who was home at the time the fire broke out, was alerted to the blaze thanks to a smoke detector.

Fire investigators believed the fire was started by a wood burner. Damage estimates stand at $125,000 on the house. The owner had insurance on the property, but the renter did not have his items insured.