Marvin Anderson | The Roanoke Times

Crews battle a morning fire in the 1100 block of Sixth Street Southeast in Roanoke.

Marvin Anderson | The Roanoke Times

Marvin Anderson | The Roanoke Times

A house fire in Southeast Roanoke early this morning left one of the homeowners injured and sent a firefighter to the hospital.

The fire started around 7:40 a.m. in the 1100 block of Sixth Street Southeast, said Tiffany Bradbury, Roanoke Fire-EMS spokeswoman.

The two homeowners were inside when the fire started but escaped with minor injuries. One firefighter overheated and was taken to the hospital but is expected to be fine, Bradbury said.

Bradbury said three fire engines and two ladder trucks were on the scene to control the blaze. The heat and flames were so intense that the firefighters were forced to take a defensive position to control the blaze, Bradbury said.

Firefighters remained outside the home to control flames that spewed from windows. Smoke was visible from blocks away.

Murray Avenue Southeast, Albemarle Avenue Southeast and Sixth Street were all partially closed as firefighters worked to control the fire.

Bradbury said the house is a total loss.

The homeowners declined to comment or give their full names.

Melanie Lilliendahl, a neighbor, comforted the couple as they stood outside and watched. She said the couple had lived in the house for 25 years.

"I’ve never seen them like this," Lilliendahl said. "They are devastated."

Lilliendahl brought a chair and water to the couple as other neighbors hugged them while they stood in front of the house.

The woman was wearing a pink robe and her husband wore flip-flops and had his hand wrapped in a towel. His feet were chapped and slightly bloody.

"I don't know what else to do to comfort her," Lilliendahl said. "I told her I would give her the shirt off my back."

Lilliendahl said the couple told a few neighbors that a grease fire may have caused the blaze when cooking. Bradbury said fire crews believe the blaze probably started in the kitchen.