Several area fire departments responded late Thursday morning to a house fire in New Athens.

The incident occurred shortly before 10:30 a.m. in the 300 block of South Benton Street.

New Athens Assistant Fire Chief Jake Owens said the two-story residence had heavy smoke showing upon firefighter arrival. Once entry was made to the home, flames were seen on the first floor near a stairwell and knocked down. Entry was also made to a rear basement door and flames were seen in the basement and knocked down.

Additional fire crews assisted with ventilation and salvage operations.

“Interior crews made a prompt, aggressive attack on the fire and brought it under control quickly,” Owens said. “Rescue of a family cat was made by the interior crews in the basement.”

Assisting the New Athens Fire Department on scene were the Freeburg, Marissa, Hecker, St. Libory, Smithton and Red Bud fire departments as well as MedStar EMS.

Owens said a cause of the fire is not yet determined.

Indications appear to show the origin being in a basement corner, with extension up an adjacent open stairwell to the first floor and further up the walls and stairwell toward the second floor, he said.

No injuries were reported in the incident.