ROYALTON—Fire destroyed a house here and sent a couple and two rescuers to the hospital shortly before 1 a. m. Sunday, Niagara County sheriff’s deputies said.

Middleport police and firefighters responded to a Rochester Road address when a passing motorist noticed the flames and called 911 on a cell phone.

Police officers found Donald Lepkoske, 71, and his wife, Marion, 70, and got them out of the house. The couple and both officers involved in the rescue suffered from smoke inhalation and were taken to Medina Hospital.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, deputies said, but it does not appear suspicious. The house is a total loss, authorities said, with damage estimated at $150,000.

Middleport Fire Company extinguished the blaze with assistance from companies in Gasport, Barker and Wolcottsville, among others.