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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- The Ottumwa Fire Department is investigating the cause of a house fire that broke out early Thursday morning at the corner of Jefferson and Fourth streets, near the Ottumwa High School.

All of the tenants were able to get out of the home safely.

Captain Dave Yeager said dispatch received a call around 5:07 a.m. and firefighters were on the scene at 5:10 a.m.

Yeager believes the fire started outside the home in the corner near the garage and contractor's lift.

Before firefighters arrived, one passerby said he was driving by, and saw the flames.

"The entire north side of the house was just up in like 25-30 ft. flames and it was right in between the garage and the house," said Bobby Townsend. "That machine, that cherry picker, they had was up in flames too."

Townsend went with his first instinct to run to the door of the home and try to get everyone out while another passerby called 911.

"I really don't think it was heroic," Townsend said. "I mean I think anyone driving by would've stopped and tried to help. I'd like to think that everyone in this town would do that."

Captain Yeager said 12 firefighters got the fire under control within an hour.

Damage to the house and garage is estimated at $100,000. Yeager said the contractor's lift was a total loss, with damages estimated at $90,000. The contractor's lift was being used to fix the roof of the Victorian home, built in 1910.