About 40 dogs died following an early morning residential fire near Brownsville Jan. 16, per Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue.

Around 2:30 a.m., CKFR was dispatched for a residential structure fire in the 1400 block of NE Paulson Road. A neighbor noticed flames and called 911, reporting that there may be occupants inside. When firefighters arrived on scene, the home was fully involved. Law enforcement was able to run plates on a vehicle outside, obtain a phone number, and get ahold of the homeowner. He was not home, but arrived on scene shortly afterwards, CKF&R says in a Facebook post.

The homeowner told CKF&R that he is a dog breeder. Firefighters were able to rescue three dogs, but approximately 40 other dogs perished in the fire. The three that were rescued were released to Kitsap Animal Control for further care.

The Kitsap County Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire. Navy Region Northwest Fire provided mutual aid.