Lieutenant Tommy Myrick of the Littleton Fire Department said the wood-frame house overlooking the lake was engulfed when firefighters arrived after receiving a call around 5:30 p.m.

There were no injuries and the homeowner and a friend got out safely. They tried to extinguish the flames but the fire “became too big for them to handle it,” Myrick said.

It took Littleton firefighters, who received help from Davie, Rheasville, Longbridge and Churchill-Five Forks, “a good hour” to bring the blaze under control.

Warren County Rescue and Halifax County EMS were on scene as well.

Firefighters stayed at the scene until 1:30 this morning and came back out around 5:30 to touch up hotspots, Myrick said.

The fire caused minor damage to two homes beside in the form of vinyl siding melting and cracked windows on one.

The occupants escaped with the clothes they had on and got their vehicles out of the way.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated but Myrick said it is not believed to be suspicious. It appears the fire started at the back of the house facing the water.

The American Red Cross provided assistance.

There was total content loss.