LISBON — Firefighters from two towns pulled a dog and two other pets from a burning home at 8 Forbes Road late Monday afternoon. However, they could not rescue two cats that perished in the blaze.

Lisbon and Topsham firefighters responded just before 3:15 p.m. Monday to the split-level home after a neighbor reported smoke pouring from the building, Lisbon Fire Chief Sean Galipeau said at the scene.

The residents were not home, but firefighters pulled a dog to safety and also rescued a pet rabbit and turtle.

However, two cats perished.

The fire apparently started in a dryer left running in the basement level of the splitlevel home, according to Galipeau.

“It built for awhile before anybody notified us,” Galipeau said at the scene. “It was actually pushing the eaves” when firefighters arrived and found heavy smoke throughout the building.

They quickly knocked down the fire, according to Galipeau, but the home sustained heavy damage from the smoke, likely totaling near $50,000.

Town records indicate the building, owned by Chester H. Lane, is assessed at $84,000.

A female resident of the home arrived shortly after the flames were extinguished, and a firefighter walked her dog on a leash across the lawn.

“That’s how we roll,” Galipeau said of firefighters’ work to rescue the pets and quickly contain the fire scene.

bbrogan@timesrecord.com