Crews were called to a home at 549 Third Ave. N., shortly after 8 p.m. on Wednesday for reports of heavy smoke coming out of the house.

According to Fire Department Capt. Jeff Hill, crews made an interior fast attack from the front door of the house to extinguish the fire.

He said the cause of the fire remains under investigation, but it appears it started in the kitchen.

The FDFD initially responded with 10 crew members, but later sent out a second alarm that brought six more off-duty firefighters to the scene.

-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
Firefighters go through the front door at 549 Third Ave. N., to make an interior fast attack on a house fire on Wednesday evening. No humans were inside when the fire began, but four family dogs were. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

No people were in the house when it caught fire, but the family’s four dogs were inside. One dog was able to escape shortly after firefighters got through the front door. A second dog died at the scene from smoke inhalation, while two others were provided oxygen and care from firefighters until the dogs stabilized and were able to be transported to an animal hospital by the family. One of the dogs that was taken to the animal hospital did not survive the night.

Crews were on the scene for a little over two hours.

The FDFD was assisted by the Fort Dodge Police Department and MidAmerican Energy.