ANNSVILLE — Three people have lost their home on Taberg-Florence Road after a kitchen grease fire spread to the rest of the residence Saturday afternoon, according to the Taberg Fire Department.

The home at 9379 Taberg-Florence Road is a total loss, officials stated.

"I was passing by and somebody was running out of the door waving his hands," said Taberg Fire Chief Doug Dean, who raised the alarm himself at 3:50 p.m. Sunday. The chief said he just happened to be passing by in his private vehicle.

"There was heavy smoke when I got there," Dean said. He had his turnout gear in his vehicle and began to survey the residence, while volunteers from three local departments raced to the scene.

Chief Dean said responding firefighters launched an interior attack into the one-story residence and were able to knock down the flames in about 25 minutes. The chief said the fire started in the kitchen, with "extensive" heat and smoke damage throughout the rest of the home.

"They were cooking on the stove and the grease boiled over," Dean said about the cause of the fire.

Three adult residents escaped without injury, he said. A dog, several rabbits and a pet fish also survived the fire.

"The fish was still alive when we were done with the fire," Dean noted.

The home itself is a total loss, the chief said. Crews remained on the scene for an additional two hours dousing hot spots and ensuring there would be no rekindle, he stated.

The property is insured, the chief stated. The American Red Cross is assisting the three displaced residents.

The Taberg, Camden and North Bay fire departments responded to the scene.