WOOLWICH (AP) — Firefighters had to helplessly watch a home in Woolwich burn to the ground because they couldn’t drive their fire trucks up the long unplowed driveway.

Fire Capt. Glen Kirkpatrick says firefighters were called to the home at about 9 p.m. Tuesday to find the house fully involved, with fire shooting from windows.

He says the 1,500-foot driveway had not been plowed, so firefighters walked to the property and could do no more than monitor the fire. Within about a half hour, the two-story house collapsed. Firefighters were able to save a nearby shed.

The home’s lone occupant made it out and was medically checked at the scene. His pet cat and dog were believed killed.

The cause is unclear but does not appear suspicious.