A Nalco Lane citizen escaped injury, but her home was totaledduring a Tuesday night fire.

Annie Alexander said she was the only person in the house whenthe fire started sometime between 10:30 p.m. and 11 p.m.Tuesday.

“I heard something cracking, and it woke me up,” Alexander said.”I thought it was someone trying to break in.”

Alexander said she saw a light toward the front of the house.She called 911 in the dark and got out through a living roomdoor.

“The car was already totaled and the truck had caught on fire,”Alexander said.

Heuck’s Retreat and Hog Chain Volunteer Fire Departmentsresponded to the fire at 11:02 p.m. The fire departments, whichused approximately 10,000 gallons of water in extinguishing thefire and subsequent hot spots, were on the scene until 3:51a.m.

Carl Diamond, Heuck’s Retreat firefighter, said the interior andexterior of the garage and its roof were fully involved whenfirefighters arrived.

“I was the second truck in, and we could see the glow from thefire station,’ Diamond said.

Diamond said the fire likely started in the garage.

Alexander, who lives alone, was unsure how the fire could havestarted. She said she had recently turned off some holiday lightsand others were on a timer.

“Unless something shorted out from the Christmas lights, I haveno idea,” Alexander said.

Family members and friends were by Alexander’s side Wednesdaymorning as they surveyed the damage. Alexander said she was unableto save any items, but she was thankful for the support from familyand friends.

“I’ve got that. Thank the Lord,” Alexander said.