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The Troy Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Highway 29 on the morning of Jan. 4.

According to a news release from Troy Fire Chief Michael Stephens, the Pike County Communications District received a call at 10:43 a.m. reporting a structure fire on the 3000 block of U.S. Highway 29 South.

According to the release, TFD arrived on the scene within six minutes of the call and fire fighters found heavy smoke and flames visible from the exterior of a single-story residential structure. Due to the severity of the fire, firefighters initiated a “defensive exterior fire attack,” according to Stephens.

“Fire damage was extensive to the residence, and due to the severity of the fire on arrival, it took nearly 40 minutes to get the fire under control after arriving on the scene,” Stephens said in the statement. “The residence sustained major fire and smoke damage and unfortunately declared a total loss. The residence was located in a secluded area, which may have attributed to a delay in notification of the incident to dispatch.”

According to Stephens, there were no occupants inside the home at the time of the fire department’s arrival. The Troy Fire Marshal’s Office is currently investigating the incident.

“The Troy Fire Department would like to urge everyone to practice fire prevention daily and to test their smoke alarms monthly,” the release said. “The Troy Police Department, ALEA, South Alabama Electrical Cooperative and the City of Troy Utilities also assisted in the incident.”