A family of three escaped unharmed Thursday night from a fire that gutted their house in Saint-André, New Brunswick.

The fire on Highway 144 was reported shortly before 9 p.m. Saint-André Fire Department responded and received tanker support from Grand Falls.

CIMT reports railway traffic had to be interrupted while firefighters were battling the blaze, because the railroad passes close by the residence. RCMP officers were called to the scene.

Canadian Red Cross spokesman Dan Bedell said the couple and their eight-year-old daughter are staying with a relative for now. Disaster volunteers with the Red Cross are helping with emergency purchases of clothing, food and other essentials.

The home was heavily damaged by the fire. The Provincial Fire Marshal's office is investigating the cause.

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