Family Of 8 Escapes House Fire In Catoosa

Catoosa firefighters are trying to determine what caused a house fire in the 17000 block of East Pine. 

Firefighters said the fire started in the garage of the home and it spread to the rest of the house very quickly.

"Mom came in, told me 'get out of the house, there's a fire, there's a fire!' And to be honest, I thought she was really playing," said resident Nathan Auten. 

Auten and his family rushed out of the house and within minutes, five departments were trying to put out the fire.

Catoosa firefighters said they had to bring in water from a hydrant nearly a mile away.

The family watched as the flames reached a couple dozen feet in the air.

Catoosa Fire says the home is a total loss and now, all eight residents have to find somewhere else to stay but Auten said he's glad everyone is okay.

"What's really going through my mind is what all I've lost...but I've still got family," Auten said.

Firefighters said no one was hurt in the fire and everyone was able to make it out safely.

Firefighters said that they think the fire could've started in the clothes dryer in the garage because one family member was doing laundry, but they're still investigating.