HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A Henrico County home sustained severe damage following a large fire that broke out early Thursday morning. The fire reportedly started at the front of the house near the door. The homeowner was alone and asleep when the smoke detectors alerted him to the danger. Despite his efforts to extinguish the flames, the fire quickly spread throughout the house. Tanya Sharpe, who lives on Tall Grass Court across the street from the house, recounted the harrowing experience. "It was like nothing I've ever seen before," Sharpe said. The June 27 early morning house fire in Henrico County. (Photos: 8News)The June 27 early morning house fire in Henrico County. (Photos: 8News)The June 27 early morning house fire in Henrico County. (Photos: 8News)The June 27 early morning house fire in Henrico County. (Photos: 8News)The June 27 early morning house fire in Henrico County. (Photos: 8News)The June 27 early morning house fire in Henrico County. (Photos: 8News)The June 27 early morning house fire in Henrico County. (Photos: 8News) She said she was awakened by her son screaming about the fire. "He comes in the room and yells, 'Mom, mom, the man's house is on fire!' -- I said, 'What?'" Sharpe said. "He said, 'The man's house is on fire that lives across the street!'" Sharpe and other neighbors rushed outside, shouting for the man to evacuate. Sharpe said that the homeowner lives alone but occasionally has his 3-year-old son with him. Fortunately, the child was not present during the fire. Multiple Henrico firetrucks arrived to combat the blaze, which continued to reignite despite their efforts. Sharpe described the intense fear she felt during the incident. "'Did he get out? Was he still in that house?' -- That was my initial thought," Sharpe said. The damage following a June 27 early morning house fire in Henrico County. (Photos: 8News)The damage following a June 27 early morning house fire in Henrico County. (Photos: 8News)The damage following a June 27 early morning house fire in Henrico County. (Photos: 8News)The damage following a June 27 early morning house fire in Henrico County. (Photos: 8News)The damage following a June 27 early morning house fire in Henrico County. (Photos: 8News)The damage following a June 27 early morning house fire in Henrico County. (Photos: 8News) The smell of smoke lingered in the air and clung to her clothes hours after the fire was extinguished. "To see it up close and personal like that, it was devastating," Sharpe said. "We can get another house, but our life is more important." Thankfully, no one was injured in the fire. The homeowner is currently staying with family. Fire officials emphasize the importance of having working smoke detectors, which they offer to install for free.