No one was injured in a fire that broke out in a home located at 15 Pine Street in the Swifts Beach neighborhood just after 9 a.m. Thursday. Firefighters rescued two dogs, two cats, and a rabbit from the blaze, but three of the family's cats were killed.

The two people who live in the house were not home when the fire started. Neighbor Andrea Bridge alerted officials.

"I smelt smoke and I looked out the back and saw it coming out of the attic vent so I called the fire department and everyone came in a few minutes," she said.

The fire caused extensive damage to the structure, said Wareham Fire Department Captain Ed Brundage. All of the owners' personal belongings were lost.

Below-freezing temperatures made the situation difficult for firefighters. Municipal Maintenance brought in a truck full of sand to help with the abundance of ice on the narrow dirt road.

"We were fortunate, with the slippery conditions at the scene, that we didn't have anybody get hurt," Brundage said. He added that he was grateful that the fire hydrant functioned normally in the conditions.

Firefighters and Wareham EMS paramedics trained in animal first aid administered oxygen to the animals.

Two dogs and a rabbit were taken to Marion Animal Hospital where they are currently being treated for carbon monoxide poisoning, according to veterinarian Dr. Kimberley Suh. Two other cats rescued from the home were taken to Mattapoisett Animal Hospital where they are also being treated for carbon monoxide poisoning. Suh said the animals didn't suffer any burn wounds and are in stable condition. Marion Animal Hospital is currently looking for a donation of a cage for the injured rabbit.

Firefighters from both Wareham and Onset battled the blaze.

Officials established heat tape that was wrapped around the water pipes caused the fire, according to a press release from the Wareham Fire Department.