Area firefighters teamed together to battle a pair of house fires that broke out just 30 minutes apart early Sunday morning.

The first to catch fire was a house owned by Dennis Tolson at 119 W. Madison in Purcell at 2:30 a.m.

When firefighters arrived on scene, fire was seen coming out of the northeast corner of the house.

The exterior and porch were showing heavy fire on the outside of the structure,” according to fire chief Greg Cypert.

Goldsby Firefighters were dispatched to assist Purcell with removing all the contents off the porch and the kitchen area.

Just 30 minutes later, 3 a.m., firefighters were called to a house fire at 25030 187th in Purcell with assistant fire chief Rocky Claunch taking command.

Purcell and Lexington firefighters arrived on scene at the same time due to Lexington already headed to Purcell answering the first call. They were redirected

Wayne firefighters joined Purcell and Lexington battling the blaze.

When they arrived, flames were through the roof with the structure fully involved. Firemen began an exterior defensive attack after confirming all occupants were out of the house.

REC was requested to shut off the power. Purcell firefighters turned off the propane and water.

Home owners Kelly and Krysti Kesler told firemen they had a heat lamp on the back porch. They stated they were awakened by glass breaking and discovered the house was on fire.

There were no injuries in either blaze.

Estimated loss of the Kesler residence was set at $550,000. There was no estimate of loss provided by firemen on the house on Madison, however both were considered total losses.

One of the residents at the Madison Street fire,  Marcia King, said if her boyfriend had not been up working on an appliance they would not have known the house was on fire. All the occupants and four dogs escaped the blaze, she told a Red Cross official, who was there the following day.