(Pittsylvania County, Va.) – A faulty wood stove apparently started a fire that gutted a home in the Sutherlin community Tuesday afternoon.

Ringgold Volunteer Fire Chief Mike Neal says units from his department, Kentuck, Blairs and Keeling were dispatched to a structure fire after a passerby spotted flames coming from a single-story house on Route 58 East.

Heavy fire was visible from the living room and front porch of the home when the first units arrived. Firefighters were able to mount an interior attack and saved some of the furnishings, but the house was gutted.

Units were on the scene for about two-and-a-half hours.

The occupant wasn’t home at the time and is being assisted by the American Red Cross.

The fire started in the attic around the chimney flue.