More than 40 firefighters from 11 different departments responded to a large residential fire in the 1200 block of Morris Drive in Niles Township late Tuesday evening.

Chief Gary Brovold, of Niles Township Fire Department, said it took nearly four hours to knock down the fire completely in the estimated 4,500-square foot home.

“It is probably the largest one (residential fire) I’ve handled in 30-some years on the department,” Brovold said. “It was extensive.”

Brovold, who lives just a couple miles away from the home, said he was the first to arrive. At that time, two-thirds of the structure was engulfed with flames that were already through the ceiling and roof.

The threat of falling debris forced firefighters to battle the blaze from outside the home. Nearly 80,000 gallons of water was used.

Brovold said the owner was not home at the time of the fire, which does not appear to be suspicious at this time.

No one was injured, Brovold said, but a dog died in the fire.

Brovold said it appears that the fire started in a breezeway connecting two parts of the home. The cause is still under investigation.

Niles Township Fire was assisted by fire departments from Niles City, Buchanan City, Buchanan Township, Bertrand Township, Weesaw Township, Galien, Berrien Springs, Eau Claire, Howard Township and Edwardsburg.