NATCHEZ — Christmas night was not a time of peace on Earth for the Lee family as they watched their Spokane Road house burn.

At 7:09 p.m. firefighters and sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a fire at 109 Spokane Road where four people were in residence, one of whom was homebound.

When emergency workers arrived on the scene, the family had escaped the burning house.

No injuries were sustained during the family’s escape from their residence.

“The fire started in the rear of the house, but it’s going to take an investigator to figure out what caused it,” Adams County Sheriff Deputy Michael Chapman said.

Responders from the Kingston Volunteer Fire Department, Lake Montrose Volunteer Fire Department and Natchez Fire Department worked together to save the structure.

The fire was contained and hot spots within the house were being fought by 8:30 p.m.

Eddie Lee, the son of the homeowner, Sherry Lee, said his mother and two siblings were visiting with one another in the living groom when he started to see a blinking light in the family’s kitchen.

“The only thing I had on was the kitchen light and an (electrical) heater in my bedroom,” Lee said.

As he made his way to the kitchen, Lee said he became aware of bigger problems.

“There was a haze over the carport when I opened the door (leading outside,)” Lee said. “I yelled for them to call 911, and we got out.”

Lee, 39, said the safety of his mother, who is homebound, his sister and visiting brother was one of the first priorities in his mind as he and his family made sure they escaped the fire.

Along with the four family members, the family pets were also involved in the family’s escape.

Lee said neighbors heard and saw the fire and the yells of the family and came to their aid, but attempts to use the family’s water hose could not control the flames because it was splitting.

“Our neighbors were a lot of help in a lot of ways though,” Lee said.

Lee said the only thing he could think of that could start the fire in his bedroom and bathroom in the back of the house was his electric heater.

However, Kingston Volunteer Fire Chief Donald Johnson said until investigations are complete nothing is known for sure.

While the night wasn’t full of joy for the Lee family, it was a night of hidden blessings.

“Thank God my family got out,” Lee said. “You can replace everything else, but you can’t replace family.”

The family is currently staying at Cliff Temple Baptist Church’s parsonage until further housing arrangements are made.