CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. -- A fire broke out around 4:30 p.m. Thursday at a Portage home.

Channel 6 News has learned two girls, ages 10 and 9, were home alone at the time. They had just returned from school and were able to get out of the Frankstown Road home safely. However, emergency crews said one of the girls tried to run back into the burning house and save the family pets, but the smoke was too thick.

The girls' mother, Nicole Kostan, didn't learn of the fire until after she got off work. She rushed to hug the girls and said how thankful she was they were OK.

A fire marshal was called in to investigate what may have started the fire.

The family is staying with relatives.