Firefighters from multiple companies spent more than four hours Friday extinguishing a blaze that appeared to have destroyed a two-story home in the 800 block of Bucklin Street.

La Salle Fire Chief Jerry Janick confirmed at 4:30 p.m. that firefighters from responding companies had been released while La Salle firefighters remained at the scene “chasing a few hot spots.”

No injuries were reported. A woman, her son and a dog evacuated safely from the residence. The family then took refuge in a neighbor’s residence and could not be approached for comment.

Earlier, Janick had reported that firefighters seemed to have almost extinguished the blaze after the first hour, but a flare-up occurred, and most of the roof caved in as smoke continued emanating from the structure.

Janick said firefighters were impeded further by sub-freezing temperatures that froze hydrants and created water-flow issues of every stripe.

“We’re battling the elements now,” Janick reported at 2 p.m., when the mercury stood at just 2 degrees.

Crews from the Peru, Oglesby and Utica, Ottawa, Tonica, Troy Grove and Spring Valley fire departments responded to the scene. The Peru Fire Department provided an aerial truck to help firefighters reach the roof.

Both lanes of Bucklin Street remained closed for about four hours between Sixth and Ninth streets.