LISBON FALLS — Two cats perished in a house fire at 8 Forbes Road on Monday, fire officials said.

When the first crew arrived just before 5:30 p.m., they found a car in the driveway so they immediately entered the wood frame, raised ranch to see if anyone was inside, according to Michael Robitaille, public information officer for the Lisbon Fire Department.

Firefighters saved a pet dog from the home, which was otherwise unoccupied.

Chester Lane is the owner of the property.

Lisbon fire Chief P. Sean Galipeau said the blaze likely started somewhere in the utility room near a dryer and the fire traveled up a wall.

The exact location and cause remains under investigation, he said.

Fire damaged a portion of the basement, but the entire house sustained extensive smoke damage, Galipeau said. He estimated the damage at $40,000. A total of 37 firefighters responded.

Galipeau credited a neighbor who spotted the smoke called 911.

It took firefighters about 20 minutes to knock down the fire and bring the blaze under control, Galipeau said.