Authorities are still trying to determine the cause of a fire that destroyed a house early Saturday morning.

Union Public Safety Department Fire Commander Larry Robinson said the fire began around 5 a.m. Firefighters from the Union and Monarch fire departments were dispatched to 129 Forest Circle where they found the one-story brick structure engulfed in flames.

Robinson said the house, which was rented by Mable Beam, was occupied by her grandson and his son at the time of the blaze. He said the grandson told firefighters he woke up smelling smoke and as he searched the building found the fire concentrated in the kitchen.

Both Mrs. Beam’s grandson and his son were able to escape the building without injury.

Robinson said the property and its contents were a total loss with damage estimated at $75,000. He said the cause of the fire was still undetermined as of this morning and the investigation into the blaze is continuing.