FILLMORE, Mo. - A fire Friday evicted a family from its two-story house located on Missouri Route H about 1.5 miles south of Fillmore. No one was injured.

Bridget Whitten discovered the kitchen fire and called 911 about 11:15 a.m. Friday, said Bryan Atkins, chief deputy and sheriff-elect for Andrew County.

The father, Dallen Whitten, and the couple's three sons weren't home at the time.

Firemen from the Fillmore Fire Protection District asked for assistance from the Savannah Fire Protection District and the blaze was under control by about 11:40 a.m. Friday, Mr. Atkins said. The fire was believed to have started in the wall behind the kitchen stove, he said. The home was equipped with working smoke detectors, which sounded the timely alarm allowing firefighters to confine the blaze to the kitchen, said Mr. Atkins, who also serves as a volunteer firefighter for the Rosendale (Mo.) Fire Protection District.

Fire department personnel asked for a state fire marshal to investigate. Electrical power to the home was cut, the kitchen was destroyed and the house sustained extensive smoke damage. The family has homeowners insurance and hopes to repair the damage.

The Midland Empire Chapter of the American Red Cross provided emergency assistance including temporary lodging, food and personal hygiene items, said Karla Long, emergency services director for the local chapter.