According to Otho Fire Chief Marty Smith, crews were called in a little after midnight for a structure fire at 2517 228th St. Although the address is a Duncombe address, it is located in the fire district for the Otho Fire Department.

Smith said he believed the fire was called in by a state trooper passing on nearby U.S. Highway 20. None of the occupants were at home at the time of the fire, he said.

According to the Webster County Assessor’s Office, the property is owned by James and Kerry Rees.

The home and nearby garage and camper were fully engulfed in flames by the time crews arrived.

“It was completely involved before it was even reported,” Smith said.

The Duncombe Fire Department was called in as well for mutual aid.

Fire crews were on scene for a few hours, Smith said, and some volunteers stayed even later to make sure the fire didn’t reignite.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.