Conroe, Texas (Montgomery County Monitor) - At approximately 2:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon, River Plantation and other fire departments responded to a house fire on Magnolia near Orangewood in the River Plantation subdivision.

While en route to the scene, emergency crews approaching from Interstate 45 reported seeing a large column of black smoke. Once on-scene, personnel called for a second alarm.

Before the initial alarm was called, a nearby neighbor, Brent Friedman, smelled smoke and came to the house to investigate. Friedman saw large amounts of smoke coming from the front of the house. In an attempt to determine if anyone was still inside the structure, Friedman made his way to the backyard. On the backside of the structure he saw flames. Friedman then returned to the front of the house and attempted access by forcing open the garage door. After gaining access to the garage, he determined it was impossible to safely make entry into the home.

Later it was learned the residents were not home at the time of the fire.

The home suffered severe damage.

No injuries were reported, but one firefighter suffered from heat exposure.

Emergency personnel responding to the fire included: River Plantation Volunteer Fire Department, Conroe Fire Department, Needham Volunteer Fire Department, Cut-N-Shoot Volunteer Fire Department, Grangerland Volunteer Fire Department, New Caney Volunteer Fire Department, Montgomery County Hospital District and Montgomery County Sheriff's Department.

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