HAMBLEN TWP. — A fire destroyed a home on Nineveh Road Feb. 13 as firefighters worked in frigid temperatures with snow falling to put it out.

A structure fire with explosions was reported just before 8 p.m. in the 9100 block.

A family of 12 was living in the home. Not all of them were home, but everyone there at the time was able to escape safely, said Hamblen Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief Arlan Pierce this morning.

However, 12 cats and six dogs were killed in the fire. Rabbits, chickens and pigs outside were not injured.

The family is staying with relatives in Columbus and did not want assistance from Red Cross at this time, Pierce said.

As of this morning, the fire was still burning, but Pierce said since it was burning from the basement up, it was best to just let it burn.

Nineveh Road was shut down completely as fire trucks lined the road running water to the fire scene.

Firefighters did not clear the scene until almost 2 a.m. battling the fire in the home of about 3,800 square feet.

The cause remains unknown as the investigation continues. Pierce is meeting with the family this evening to get their statements, he said. The home did have multiple wood stoves, and Pierce said some of the electric sockets had multiple items plugged into them.

“I’ve got to sit down with them to try to get that all figured out,” Pierce said this morning.

Along with battling a large blaze, firefighters also battled cold temperatures.

“You’ve ever seen penguins walk? That’s what we looked like walking around last night,” Pierce said.

“Somebody would break the ice off of you so you could move your arms again. When you have subzero temperatures like that, that’s what happens. All of the spray just freezes.”

Around two inches of snow also fell in the area while firefighters were on the scene.

“We hit two big pots of coffee real quick when we hit the firehouse. We were hugging them,” Pierce said.

The home also sat on an incline, so fire trucks were parked on hills.

“You couldn’t walk fast anyhow because you had to hold onto stuff when you moved because it was all ice and snow,” Pierce said.

No injuries were reported.

Firefighters from Cordry-Sweetwater, Nineveh, Trafalgar and Brown County (Nashville) volunteer fire departments all assisted at the scene.

Every family member is in need of clothing, said Krystal Smith, one of the family members, on Feb. 17.

A boy in the home wears a size 3 shoe and a size 8 in clothing; a girl wears a size 12 or 1 in shoes and a size 6 in clothes; three men are in need of shirts in sizes XL to XXL, pants sizes 36×32, 33×34 and shoes from sizes 10 to 12, plus socks and underwear; one woman wears a 2, 3 or 5 in pants and the other wears between sizes 6 and 8, with both wearing a size M shirt; another woman wears a size L shirt and a size 9 in pants; and another woman wears shirts in sizes XL to XXL and XL pants.

The family also needs coats and sweaters from XL to 1X. Blankets, towels, toiletries — like shampoo, conditioner and deodorant — dressers, a miniature refrigerator and plastic totes for storage would be helpful.

Supplies for the dogs who did survive the fire are also needed. The family needs a medium dog cage, dog food and blankets for the dogs, too.

The family will be driving children from Columbus to school here in Brown County, so gas cards and other gifts are also welcomed.

A GoFundMe has also been set up for the family. It can be found by searching “Donations for my mom & siblings” and has been set up by one of the Smith siblings who was not living at the home.

“They only have what they were wearing when they ran as the fire went up in a matter of seconds. On top of all this, my mom lost her job back in October and barely survived Christmas,” the GoFundMe page reads.

“My mom is the kindest soul you will meet. She always takes anyone in and would give her shirt on her back to you if you needed it. She’s also too proud to ask for help and never wants to be a burden to anyone.”

The family had been living in the home for 20 years, so they also lost photos and other family memorabilia.

“Any amount will help and will forever be grateful. Please help my mom get back on her feet,” the GoFundMe page says.

Anyone interested in donating items or gift cards can contact Krystal Smith at 317-494-8766 to organize a drop-off.

Pierce said the Hamblen Township Volunteer Fire Department can also be a donation drop-off site, but firefighters are usually there only on Saturdays. Anyone interested in bringing donations to the fire department can schedule a time to do so on Saturdays by calling Pierce at 317-494-8766.