Couple’s house destroyed in a fire

A fire destroyed a rural Portland couple’s home over the weekend.

The home of Kevin and Denise Degler, 2574 E. 400 North, caught fire Saturday afternoon and burned for about five hours.

Local emergency personnel received a call about a fire at the home at about 2:47 p.m. Saturday. Flames started on the outside of the house and worked up to the attic.

Portland, Bryant and Pennville fire departments responded to the scene and fought the fire for about five hours. The flames reignited about 8:30 a.m. Sunday, taking another three hours to extinguish.

No one was hurt in the fire, according to Portland Fire Department. Officials suspect it may have started from a wood stove, but the cause is still under investigation.

Donations are being accepted for Kevin and Denise Degler by their family. For more information, visit Joni Johnson’s Facebook page.