A Lower Towamensing Township couple has been displaced from their home following an intense dwelling fire late Wednesday night.

Firefighters from the Aquashicola Fire Company responded to the home at 545 Hahns Dairy Road at 11:03 p.m., according to safety officer Rory Koons.Koons said the fire was fully involved when crews arrived. The whole rear section of the two-story house was engulfed with flames, he said."The fire was tremendous," Koons said. "It was very, very intense."So intense, that Koons said an excavator had to come in to tear it apart because firefighters couldn't knock it down."In all the years I've been doing this, it is one of the most intense fires from a house," said Koons, who has nearly 50 years experience. "It was unbelievable."Koons said the owners of the home, Leonard and Geraldine Starkey, were home at the time. No injuries were reported.The home, located near the township municipal building, was a total loss.Fire Chief Bill George said the cause of the fire is unknown, and that a state fire marshal will be in charge of the investigation.Firefighters remained on scene for six hours.Other fire departments assisting at the scene were Palmerton, Trachsville, Bowmanstown, Parryville, Franklin Township and Walnutport. Palmerton Ambulance also assisted.Michele Baehr, executive director for the American Red Cross of the Pocono Mountains, said two of its disaster action team responders were able to get to the fire."We offered immediate financial support for lodging, clothing, food - getting them to a secure place so that they could start the process of recovery," Baehr said.