PALOS PARK, Ill. (WLS) — A large fire gutted a house in the south suburbs on Monday evening, police said.

Fire officials say around 4:30 p.m., an officer on patrol spotted the fire at the home near 81st and 125th in Palos Park. Chopper 7 was over the scene around 5:15 p.m.

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The Palos Park fire battalion chief said no one was home when the fire started in the basement before quickly spreading to second floor.

Carolyn Mitchell, who was walking her neighbor’s dogs, was alerted by a smell.

“I thought it was, like, ash, like a bonfire. Never saw flames, and then I came in and all this whole area was filled with trucks,” Mitchell said.

It took nearly two hours for firefighters from 10 jurisdictions to put out the flames. The family’s house was left gutted.

“I feel terrible. My heart goes out to all of them. No one wants to lose their home, especially when it’s wintertime, too. You know, you have to find shelter. So, hopefully, they have family that could help them,” Mitchell said.

Streets in the area will remain closed off as fire crews wrap up, and Palos Park police will remain on the scene throughout the night.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Authorities did not immediately provide further information about the fire.