SALINE COUNTY – Fire officials say a gas-powered generator ignited a fire that destroyed a house in New Cambria, seven miles east of Salina Monday night.

The fire killed three dogs and caused about $180,000 in damage to the residence at 100 East First Street, according to Saline County Undersheriff Brent Melander.

Monday’s storm brought high winds that knocked out power to the home. The residents hooked up a gas-powered generator and brought it inside the home.

The three residents went to sleep with the generator running in the northwest side of the first floor.

Just before midnight, the first-floor smoke alarms woke the residents.

Kathene Hedges, 54, went downstairs to find a small fire near the generator’s exhaust. The fire grew as first responders arrived.

She and two others including a 71-year-old woman were able to safely evacuate the home, according to Melander.

EMS treated 54-year-old Jerry Hedges for smoke inhalation at the scene.