A fire damaged a home in Cherry Valley on Saturday night.
Fire officials said the blaze at the two-story farmhouse of Matt and Jodi Utter on county Route 34A started in an upstairs bathroom and spread to an adjoining bedroom and the attic.
The cause of the blaze appears to be electrical, said former Fire Chief Kevin VanBuren.
Although the fire damage was limited, the house appears to be unlivable, he said.
"The entire house suffered severe water damage," VanBuren said.
Matt and Jodi Utter are the parents of Grace Utter, a 7-year-old girl who has a rare kidney disease requiring specialized treatment. Her plight has inspired several community-driven efforts to assist the Utter family.
No one was home at the time of the fire, which was reported by a nearby resident at about 6:30 p.m.
VanBuren said the fire had gotten a head start in the home, and firefighters responded with an interior attack coordinated by Fire Chief Martin Field.
"Most of the fire was in the attic," VanBuren said.
There were no injuries reported among the roughly 50 firefighters who responded from the Cherry Valley, Springfield, Sharon Springs, Ames and South Minden fire departments.
"It's going to take some serious work to put the place back together," VanBuren said. "I'm sure they are waiting to hear from their insurance company."
