Fire consumed a Vaughn Lane house this past week, burning the house to the ground while the residents were away.

The residence of Tracey Veach, which was being rented from owner Loyce Holcomb, was a total loss following the blaze late Tuesday morning. The fire had already engulfed the house by the time county firemen arrived. Firefighters concentrated water on the structure to keep the blaze from spreading, their efforts sparing a truck that was parked nearby.

Several elements of the DeKalb Volunteer Fire Department combined to combat the blaze including members of the Belk, Blue Springs, Midway and Short Mountain precincts along with assistance from the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department.

The cause of the fire remains unknown.