FORESTVILLE — An excess buildup of dryer lint in an exhaust pipe is believed to have sparked a fire that destroyed a town of Hanover home and displaced a family this week.

Investigators had been looking into the cause of the blaze reported around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday at a two-story, single family home on Allegany Road. Two adults were reportedly outside around a campfire with their five children sleeping inside when the fire was spotted.

“The adults were able to enter the residence and get all of the children out,” said Capt. Rich Telford of the Chautauqua County Fire Investigation Team.

According to a statement posted to the Forestville Fire Department’s Facebook page, crews arrived to find fire blowing out of the front of the house. “The wind was blowing of the south feeding the fire and we went into defensive mode right away,” the department said.

Several surrounding fire departments were called to assist. The home was a total loss.

Telford said investigators were at the scene of the fire Tuesday night. They returned at daylight Wednesday and traced the origin of the blaze to a mud room behind a dryer that was running at the time.

“We believe that an excess buildup of dryer lint in the exhaust pipe ignited and spread to the rest of the house,” Telford said.

No injuries were reported. The local chapter of the American Red Cross is reportedly assisting the family.

Departments that assisted include Sunset Bay, Hanover Center, Irving, Perrysburg, South Dayton, Cherry Creek, Sheridan, East Dunkirk, Silver Creek and Chautauqua County Emergency Services.