PINE RIVER - Firefighters in Pine River had a tough day Saturday. They battled a house fire Friday night.

Crews didn't finish cleaning up the scene until 3:30 Saturday morning. Then they got called to a second fire in the afternoon.

The first fire happened at 9:12 p.m. The Lincoln County Dispatch Center got a call about a possible structure fire on County Highway WW in the Town of Pine River. That's east of Merrill, but when the Pine River Department got there, the house was in flames.

The family of three were not inside when the fire happened, but a cat inside did not survive.

The house was a total loss.

American Red Cross says emergency assistance provided food and lodging. The Red Cross also provided comfort kits. It contains personal care items such as toothbrushes, deodorant, shaving supplies and other personal hygiene items.

The second structure fire was at a large pole building on Center Road.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office describes it as a multi-use building.

The Pine River Fire Department was called out around 2 p.m., but because of the house fire from Friday night, they needed help from Russell, Merrill, Hewitt and Texas Fire Departments.

Lincoln County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Mike Caylor says there was property inside, but he's not sure of the details. Caylor says the building is still standing.

That fire as well as the house fire are still under investigation.

Story By: Newswatch 12 Team