Pinebluff firefighters battled a blaze Monday morning that nearly destroyed a home in the Roseland Road area and killed several pets.

Pinebluff Interim Fire Chief Tommy Brock said the fire started in the kitchen area of the home of Kevin L. Baker at 161 Geranium Ave. No one was home, Brock said. A dog, cat and turtle were killled in the fire, Brock said.

A neighbor noticed smoke about 9 a.m. and called firefighters, then tried to extinguish the fire himself.

Firefighters from West End, Aberdeen and Derby assisted Pinebluff.

Brock said that two rooms remained salvageable.

"There was extensive damage," he said. "But basically, yeah, it was a total loss."

Dispatchers originally thought the fire was closer to Richmond County, which is why they called in Derby for aid.

Firefighters have yet to determine what caused the fire, but Brock said that they have ruled out arson.

Contact Matthew Moriarty at 693-2479 or by e-mail at moriarty@thepilot.com.