MOUNT VERNON — A Sunday afternoon fire destroyed a rural Mt. Vernon home as firefighters battled the hard to reach blaze inside the walls of the older home.

According to the Mt. Vernon City Fire Department, Bart Stavinski of 1501 South 12th Street was home and discovered a small fire in the study.

As the smoke became heavier Stavinski was forced to flee the home with his pet cat around 12:23 p.m. when he called 9-1-1.

Upon their arrival, firefighters noted flames were beginning to show from the home. Firefighters initially attacked the flames from inside the home, but were unable to locate the exact source of the fire and reach the walls due to the contents of the home.

When the fire began breaking through the outside walls, the firefighters retreated for safety reasons and fought the fire from outside of the residence.

Jefferson Fire Protection District and the Woodlawn and Waltonville Fire Departments were all called for mutual aid assistance and brought engines and manpower to the scene.

Stavinski was taken to SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.He was the only one in the home.

Firefighters remained on the scene until 3:15 pm.