An early morning fire decimated a home off of N.C. Highway 92 on Monday.

Between 3 and 4 a.m., firefighters were called to the home, located a few miles outside of Bath, after the family was awakened by smoke. Family members and pets made it out of the house safely.

Multiple departments responded to the fire, including Bath Volunteer Fire Department and Bunyan Volunteer Fire Department, among others.

The home belonged to Capt. William Chrismon, head of the criminal investigations unit of the Washington Police Department. He lived there with wife Lori and daughter Mackenzie.

Chrismon was assessing the damage and meeting with city, insurance and fire officials for most of Monday.

Authorities were still unsure on Monday evening as to what caused the fire, but lightning may have been a factor. The home is a total loss.

Gary Chrismon, brother of William Chrismon, said the incident could have been much worse, and he is glad everyone made it out alive.

Chrismon said the home was originally owned by his father, built in 1977, and both he and William grew up there.

He said insurance representatives are taking care of the Chrismons, and they plan to stay with other family members for now.