The state fire marshal is being called in to investigate the cause of a blaze that destroyed a rural Waterloo home on Tuesday (Dec. 12, 2017).

A neighbor reported the fire at 5236 Weiden Road around 10:30 a.m. Units from Gilbertville and La Porte City responded to the call, despite the property being located less than a mile outside Waterloo's southeast city boundary line (for location, see map in photo gallery above). Crews spent more than four hours at the scene.

The fire engulfed the house and spread to some nearby outbuildings, destroying them as well.

No one was home at the time of the fire. No injuries were reported, but authorities said a pet dog inside the burning home did not survive.

Local investigators believe a wood-burning stove may have sparked the fire, but they are still trying to determine the exact cause.

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