A family of four is homeless after a fire destroyed a residence on the southern shore.

The couple and their two children escaped Tuesday - without harm - from their Tors Cove home, and are currently staying with relatives.

Evidence suggests the fire started in the laundry room.

A Witless Bay Volunteer Fire Department official, who was part of the firefighting effort, gave advice about using clothes dryers safely.

"Make sure at every use you clean the lint from your dryer. At least once a year have your pipes checked and make sure there's no big accumulation. A big message I would give is to never leave them unattended, you know, leave the house with a dryer running,” Witless Bay Fire Chief Fabian St. Croix said Wednesday.

He said the family had insurance on the house.