ACME - Firefighters spent more than two hours battling a blaze at a home near Highway 9 Friday afternoon, Aug. 31, and were able to keep the fire from destroying the whole house.

Crews from Whatcom County Fire Districts 16, 18 and 14 responded at about 4:30 p.m. to a fire at a large, two-story home at 5453 Doran Road, said District 16 Chief Elvin Kalsbeek.

No one was home at the time of the fire, which destroyed about half of the house and left the rest with smoke damage and some minor repairs. Firefighters were putting out spot fires into the evening.

Kalsbeek said it was unclear how the fire started, though it appears it started in an add-on to the house.

Reach ZOE FRALEY at zoe.fraley@bellinghamherald.com or call 756-2803.