Fire destroyed a house on County Road 24 in Upper Township Sunday afternoon. The Coal Grove, Upper Township and Lawrence Township volunteer fire departments responded to the blaze at Brent Thompson’s residence that officials believe was caused when occupants attempted to thaw frozen water pipes.

One person suffered a minor burn to the hand, Coal Grove Fire Department Chief Gary Sherman said. The American Red Cross has been contacted and is offering assistance to the house’s seven occupants, Sherman said.

The Coal Grove Fire Department automatically responds to Upper Township fires and the Upper Township department responds to fires in Coal Grove.

“It makes one fire department twice as big,” Sherman said.