A fire just after midnight early on Sunday tore through a residence in Ocean Shores, threatening the surrounding area.

No people were injured, said Chief Brian Ritter of the Ocean Shores Fire Department, but several cats were killed in the fire. The initial call came in just after 1 a.m. on Sunday morning, Ritter said. The house is located in the 600 block of San Juan Court.

“When they arrived there was really heavy fire conditions. It was well involved,” Ritter said. “It looked like it started in the garage and extended into the house.”

Many of the department’s on-duty personnel were already out responding to other calls, Ritter said.

“We had simultaneous calls going at the same time. It limited our staffing,” Ritter said. “There’s a lot to do in a short period of time.”

Four firefighters arriving on-scene began combating the blaze, aiming to limit the spread, while also calling for assistance.

“We actually called Hoquiam in,” Ritter said. “They got on scene with an engine.”

Firefighters were able to make inroads on the fire and even enter the residence, releasing the Hoquiam crews back out, Ritter said. Ocean Shores firefighters were on-scene for an extended period of time, Ritter said.

“They were there all night,” Ritter said. “They were on scene for at least 4-5 hours.”

The fire is under investigation, Ritter said.

“We’re investigating it. We don’t have a cause yet,” Ritter said. “But the origin was in the garage.”

The residents had working smoke detectors, which Ritter commended.

“They had smoke detectors and they were working. I always encourage people to have working smoke detectors and to have a plan if there’s a fire. Sleep with the door closed,” Ritter said. “These things happen very very fast. Faster than people can imagine.”

The rapid spread of fire has to do with a shift in the materials used in modern appliances and furniture toward plastic-based components, which go up quick and burn hot, Ritter said.

“This was a real hot fire. It has to do with the fuel inside the home, what’s burning,” Ritter said. “Fire growth happens faster now than it ever has in the American fire service. We have a very short period of time when we get on scene to take care of business.”

Contact Senior Reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or michael.lockett@thedailyworld.com.