Two days before Christmas, an Ira family lost everything when fire destroyed their home late Friday morning.

Richard and Dawn Auchampau, of 12126 Route 34 North, Ira, were not at home when the fire started, giving flames time to spread before anyone noticed there was a problem.

Cato Volunteer Fire Department chief Larry Wallace said his department received the call at 11:17 a.m. and arrived at the one-story ranch-style home to find heavy smoke.

“Within five minutes there were flames coming out of the north end of the structure,” Wallace said.

“There was heavy fire throughout most of the home.”

Wallace said Cayuga County fire investigators had not determined a cause Friday afternoon, but the fire may have started in a bathroom fan.

Although no people were hurt, the family's dog perished in the blaze.

“It had been burning for quite some time before a passerby saw the smoke and called it in,” Wallace said.

Wallace said the family was staying with relatives and that the Red Cross had been called to assist them.

“All they have left is the clothes on their backs,” Wallace said. “It's a bad deal for them to lose everything, especially on this weekend.”