Crews from several fire departments battled two separate house blazes Thursday morning, one in Bluevale another near Mount Forest, Ont.

When crews arrived at the home on the edge of Bluevale shortly before 6 a.m., flames were shooting out of the second floor windows of the home.

The family was home at the time of the blaze and were alerted to the fire by smoke alarms.

Fire officials say without working smoke alarms, the outcome could have been much worse.

The family escaped, but the home has been destroyed, along with at least two vehicles in the garage and a car parked in front of the home.

The cause is yet to be determined, but damage has been estimated at over $800,000.

Crews from North Huron, Howick, Morris-Turnberry and South Bruce were expected to be on scene for most of the day.

Members of the Huron OPP, Union Gas and Huron County victim services were also on scene to assist.

Second fire near Mount Forest

Also on Thursday, a large home on Concession Road 11 south of Mount Forest was destroyed by fire.

Fire crews responded to the scene near Farewell around 9 a.m. and multiple departments worked together, shuttling water to the house.

The home couldn't be entered due to smoke, so firefighters instead tried to protect a nearby barn.

No one was home when the fire was reported. Damage is extimated around $200,000.

It was the second total loss fire in the area Thursday, and the fourth fire for North Wellington fire crews in the last 48 hours.

With files from CTV Kitchener