Herman Peacock watched in silence Thursday as Pike County firefighters worked for hours to extinguish the flames that consumed his family’s home.

Peacock hadn’t been living in the house for years, but said the home was one that his family has owned for about 60 years.

“I lived in it for two years after my brother had lived in it, and my sister had lived in it,” Peacock said. “I didn’t want it to burn. I’d rather it had stood.”

Around 3:45 p.m. Thursday Pike County Fire and Rescue, along with Banks Volunteer Fire Department, responded to a call for a structure fire on County Road 7735, said Louis Davis, with the Pike County Fire and Rescue.

“We got a call for a structure fire, and when we got here there was heavy smoke and the house was in flames,” Davis said.

Davis said they did not determine the cause of the fire, and the incident may undergo investigation.

Peacock, however, said he thinks he knows the cause.

“Somebody had to set it because there was no electricity there or nothing to set it off,” Peacock said.

Inside the home, Peacock said there were two beds and old furniture. He said he did spend time gardening around the home even though he didn’t live in it.

Care Ambulance and officials from the Pike County Sheriff’s Department also responded to the scene.