Two people escaped a house fire early Wednesday morning, but the house is a total loss.

Gainesville firefighters were called at about 5 a.m. June 26 to the house in the 3000 block of Maple Forge Lane off Mountain View Road. 

The fire had reached the roof by that point, and as it moved through the attic, the attic collapsed into the interior of the home causing the fire to spread farther, Gainesville Fire spokesman Keith Smith said.

The residents had heard their smoke detectors and evacuated after finding heavy smoke in the home, Smith said. They will be staying with family nearby, Smith said. 

It appears the fire started in a basement garage; the fire marshal’s office will investigate the cause.