UTICA — Mark and Janet Layton were both outside their home at 244 N. Washington St. when it caught fire Tuesday morning.

Mark said he was on he roof of their small ranch-style home repairing a hole when he smelled something. They discovered the fire and Janet called the fire department at 10:25 a.m.

Utica Fire Capt. Brooks Schmidlin said when the department arrived they saw smoke and flames. He said the fire was contained in 18 minutes. He estimated the house has 60 percent to 75 percent damage. The cause is not known and the State Fire Marshal was called in to investigate the blaze.

Homer and Newton Township responded with mutual aid. A total of 25 firefighters fought the fire.