The Ocean Shores fire chief was the lone person able to respond at first to a structure fire on Thursday evening, authorities said.

No injuries were reported, but two dogs were inside the residence. One was saved.

A post to the Ocean Shores Fire Department social media page said the agency was dispatched to a residential structure fire on Seagate Street at 7 p.m. Thursday. E-911 dispatchers reported smoke showing and upper windows of the home were broken. There was vehicle in the carport, but it was unknown if the home was occupied.

The fire occurred while Ocean Shores Fire Department personnel were busy. with three ambulances transporting 911 calls to out-of-area hospitals due to the number of hospitals on divert — Grays Harbor Hospital, Summit Hospital, Capitol Medical Center, Saint Peters and Mason General. That left Ocean Shores Fire Department being covered by the fire chief.

Upon arrival of the fire engine, a single responder found a two-story wood frame construction residential home with heavy smoke showing from a broken window. Report from witnesses on-scene stated no one was in the home, but two dogs were just inside the front door near stairs leading to the upper floor.

An attempt was made to rescue the dogs initially, but the heat and flames were too intense to enter the structure.

Two off-duty firefighters from Ocean Shores and Fire District No. 7 responded minutes later to assist knocking down the fire in the lower and upper portions of the home, which allowed access to one of the dogs in the home.

Firefighters administered oxygen to the dog outside and were able to revive it. They transferred care over to bystanders to rush the dog to Olympia for emergency care. The other dog died.

The chief said in his post, “I would like to thank Ocean Shores Police Department, Fire District No. 7 along with Cindy Thuirer and Terrie Pond, who rushed the dog to Olympia. Also, retired Fire Chief Mike McGregor for his assistance.”