Two dogs perished in a fire that burned a home Friday morning just off of Race Road on Central Whidbey Island. No people were home when the fire sparked.

Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue Chief Joe Biller said that flames were shooting through the roof when firefighters from the nearby Race Road station arrived at the scene.

“The fire was pretty well involved,” he said.

He said firefighters also came from Coupeville and could see the column of smoke from Outlying Field.

Because no hydrants were available, two tenders were used to provide firefighters with the water needed to extinguish the blaze. North Whidbey Fire and Rescue provided one of the water tenders.

Biller said approximately 3,000 gallons of water were poured onto the flames. Firefighters will be monitoring the structure through tomorrow in case any hot spots spark another fire.

A preliminary investigation indicates the fire could have started on the porch and then spread indoors. Biller said the fire and heat destroyed most of the home’s contents.

Three people — a man, woman and an infant — lived in the small cabin in the woods. They had left around 9 a.m. Two dogs were in the home when the fire started. Biller said the dogs retreated to the back of the home, but died from smoke inhalation.

The Island County Sheriff’s Chaplain Rick Karjalainen worked to make sure the family had food, clothing and a place to stay.

The Island County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the cause of the Friday morning fire.