(Shelby County, Iowa) – Officials with the Portsmouth Fire and Rescue Department, Wednesday, posted on social media that at 5-a.m. that day, their crews, along with personnel with the Harlan and Shelby Fire Departments, were paged out to a residential structure fire, with persons possibly trapped inside.

Officials say information was coming in as firefighters were responding to the station…some personnel tried, but got stuck in the snow and drifts. Fortunately, while enroute to the scene of the fire, it was confirmed that no one was inside the home.

With 50 mph winds whipping the flames, the structure was a total loss by the time crews arrived on the scene. Harlan and Shelby fire was on scene for roughly 30 minutes, with Portsmouth crews remaining on scene for close to an hour before returning back to their station.

The cause of the fire was not officially determined, but it’s believed a space heater may have ghad something to do with it.