Dreama and Eddie Thomas thought their generator would keep them safe when the power went out in their Xenia township home on Friday, but that same device caused their house to go up in flames Saturday morning.

“This was our big dream, and everything was there [in the house] that we loved,” Dreama said about losing her home.

The Xenia Township Fire Department was called to 1294 U.S. 68 South, around 11:30 a.m.  By the time the firefighters arrived, the two-story home was already fully engulfed in flames, after a generator backfired at the rear of the house.

Eddie said he heard the generator suddenly shut-off and then saw flames shooting out of it. He attempted to get a fire extinguisher to stop the flames, but the fire spread to the siding of the house before he could do so.

“It was just hopeless, so we had to get out and get the cats and dogs out,” Eddie said.

The Thomas’ are still unsure if all of their six cats were able to get out of the burning house, but neither one of them was harmed in the fire that completely destroyed their home.

Lt. Brian Miller of the Xenia Township Fire Department said it is very important to be cautious when using generators.

“Give [generators] plenty of space for ventilation so in case you do have an issue with the generator, you will not have a case like this where the generator will catch the house on fire,” Miller said.

The American Red Cross was contacted to assist the Thomas’ with their loss.