PENDLETON, Ind. -- Three homes near Pendleton were destroyed and another home damaged in a fire Monday afternoon, fire officials said.

The fire started just before 2 p.m. at a home at 9560 Quarter Moon Dr. near Interstate 69 in Madison County.

Images: Homes Damaged In Fire

Fire officials said the fire started in the home and then spread to houses on either side in the newer Summer Lake subdivision, causing an estimated $500,000 in damage.

"The wind was a factor, and the evolution of the fire, being through the roof. It makes it spread a lot faster from house to house," said Fortville fire Chief Roger Tappy.

No one was injured.

One of the families was expecting a baby in a few weeks, neighbors said. Nearby residents gathered after the fire to help pull photo albums from the rubble.

"Last year we had a family in the community that had a fire close to Christmas … and by golly, we re-bought Christmas presents for them and brought them clothes and took care of their kids," said Heather Wolfe. "That's just what we do. So it's great to live in a small town."

State fire investigators said they will be back at the scene on Tuesday. They would not comment on whether the fire was intentionally set.