MERRITT TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- Bay County fire crews have quelled a large house fire that started just 10 a.m. in a home at 1585 E. Munger Road.

The home is near the city of Munger in Merritt Township. According to Bay County central dispatch, Munger Road between Cotter and Briggs roads will be closed for several hours.

Drivers are advised to avoid the area. Additional fire crews have been called in from Saginaw County to help with the blaze and cleanup.

Firefighters are still at the scene of the blaze. At first glance the home looks like a total loss.

Crews arrived just after 10:15 a.m. and the house was engulfed in flames when they arrived.

The work was made tougher as high winds made for tricky firefighting.

Seven children and three adults were inside the home when the fire started, and all of them were able to get our safely.

“I smelled smoke so I ran upstairs and as soon as I got upstairs there were flames, nothing I could do,” said one of the people who fled the fire. “We just got everybody out of the house.”

The roof of the house collapsed and only walls are still remaining.

The homeowner said he purchased the house six months ago and was remodeling it.

The homeowner also said the only room that had not been remodeled is where the fire started. He stated that he has insurance and may rebuild the house.