Emergency crews at a blaze at a home on High Street in Dowagiac arrived to find the occupants and pets on the first-story roof.

The blaze was reported around 11:15 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28.

The Dowagiac Fire Department and Wayne Township Fire Department were dispatched and arrived within 4 minutes. A further request was made for Indian Lake Volunteer firefighters to help.

The occupants were sleeping in upstairs bedrooms when the adult male awoke and smelled smoke. He alerted the others and they got out through an upstairs window.

Two adults, two small children, and two dogs were rescued from the roof.

Fire crews entered the structure finding low visibility due to extensive heat and smoke.

The fire declared under control within a half-hour.

One of the occupants went to the hospital for treatment of possible smoke inhalation.

Crews remained on scene until after 1 a.m. for the investigation.

Officials believe a candle left burning in a first-floor bathroom was likely the cause of the blaze.