PHOTO PROVIDED

The family’s dog, Murphy, is credited with alerting occupants to a blaze late Tuesday night at their Eldred Township home at 6097 Pleasant Valley Road, the Sun-Gazette was told.

Flames erupted at the property about 11 p.m. and took over an hour to bring under control.

A family of five, along with their dog, safely got out, the Sun-Gazette was told.

Details of the blaze were still being gathered. Embers from the fire started small brush fires across the street that were quickly extinguished.

Water to fight the blaze was shuttled to the scene by tankers that drafted from a pond four to five miles away.

The state police fire marshal’s office is leading the investigation to the origin and cause of the fire. The family’s name was not known.

Smoke from the fire was visible from a half a mile away. Neighbors were assisting the victims.

Firefighters from several Townships including Eldred, Loyalsock, Hepburn, Old Lycoming and Woodward, Plunketts Creek responded as did crews from Montoursville, and DuBoistown, Jersey Shore and Nisbet.

Eldred Township Fire Chief Charles Whitford Jr. directed operations at the scene. He said the fire victims were staying with relatives.