MONMOUTH – An electrical malfunction is believed to be responsible for a fire that damaged a home and destroyed an attached barn in North Monmouth on Monday.

The fire was reported at 8:30 a.m. and was “under control about an hour” after fire crews arrived, though firefighters were on the scene until 2 p.m. putting out hot spots, according to fire Chief Andre Poulin.

The fire struck an “old-style farmhouse with a barn attached” on Outlet Drive. Investigators believe the fire began in the part of the complex that connects the barn to the house.

“The barn was completely destroyed,” Poulin said, while the house sustained moderate damage. The Monmouth Fire Department was assisted by firefighters from Wales, Leeds, Greene and Winthrop.

The fire department was not releasing the identity of the owners as of Monday evening.

“No one was injured,” Poulin said. The family that owns the home has been on vacation in Niagara Falls since last week, according to Poulin.

On Monday, the Red Cross was coordinating a place for the family to stay.