Fire officials say they have responded to a fire in a Kitchener home Saturday afternoon.

The blaze broke out at a townhouse located on Gage Avenue and Belmont Avenue.

A mother and five children lived in the home and are now homeless.

RéSean Russell lives two doors down from the home and saw the flames, concerned that children may have been inside.

"We ran around and tried to get in the back, and kick the door, and his mom took a shovel and tried to open the basement window," said Russell.

"I looked out and I saw the flames coming out the windows, both windows, all the windows and the door.  and heard the sirens came around and saw that the place was up in smoke," said Jennifer Williams, a neighbour.

Neighbours say the family was at an area park when the fire started.

Officials say the fire started with a faulty air conditioner in the kitchen.

One neighbour was treated for smoke inhalation on site.

The total damage is estimated at around $200,000.