A fire in rural Berrien County left two dogs dead and a family farmhouse in ruins.

Benton Township Firefighters arrived at the scene of a large fire at Sommerfeldt Farms around 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 21.

Fire Chief Robert Harper said the crews were able to see smoke from their station five miles away and that the size of the fire resulted in surrounding departments having to assist.

Harper said crews were initially inside the home but that they had to move into a defensive attack when the roof started to fall.

No people were inside the home at the time of the fire, but two dogs, Poncho and Baby, were lost in the blaze.