At right, Volunteer firefighter Jason Brooks of the LeTourneau Volunteer Fire Department wipes sweat from his face while taking a break from fighting a house fire at 9 Smith Road Thursday afternoon. (The Vicksburg Post/PAT SHANNAHAN)

Fire destroyed a house on Smith Road Thursday while its two elderly residents were visiting in Jackson.

Family members crowded nearby during the blaze, uncertain whether Ford Hall, 79, was inside the house as volunteer firefighters from Fisher Ferry and LeTourneau battled the flames.

“He’s usually here when his car’s here,” said Mose Benard, a relative who lives nearby.

The fire at 9 Smith Road started around noon. Flames were first seen near the front of the house, close to the kitchen, Benard said.

Warren County Volunteer Coordinator Kelly Worthy said volunteers responded quickly to the call, but the house was already engulfed in flames when he arrived.

“When you have an older wooden house like that, and it’s already vented, you’re usually not going to be able to turn it around,” Worthy said.

Although volunteers were not able to save the house, Worthy said firefighters were thrilled to see Hall drive up with his wife in her car.

“They drove up right before we left,” Worthy said. “I was just so proud to see him.”