An early morning fire claimed a Hernando home today.
Firefiighters were called out at 1:08 a.m. to battle a blaze at 204 W. Herndon St., and got there within 15 minutes.
Crews from the county and Crystal River Volunteer Fire Department found a structure already weakend by fire, and took aggressive action to contain and extinguish the flames. No one was home at the time of the fire, and the owner, Rutherford Miniard, told firefighters no one was living in the residence.
Damage to the structure is estimated at $200,000, and $20,000 for the contents. The cause of the fire was not determined, and the State Fire Marshal's Office was contacted to investigate.
It is unknown if the home was insured.
