DURHAM — A Durham home was badly damaged and three pets lost in a fire that started in the kitchen today on Larrabee Lane just after 1 p.m.

According to Michael Brillant, the public information officer for Durham Fire and Rescue, the home belongs to Connie and Martin Jacques. Neither were home at the time. Martin Jacques had left the home around 12:30 p.m. to go to the store and returned only minutes after 1 p.m. to see smoke spilling from the side door and fire coming out of the kitchen window. He went to a neighbor’s home and called 911.

The first unit on scene saw fire coming out of a kitchen door and window and began extending hoses. Brillant estimated the fire was knocked down within only 10 or 15 minutes so firefighters could make entry, and was under control within 45 minutes of firefighters arriving on scene. In addition to Durham, Lisbon Falls and Freeport fire departments responded to the scene, shuttled water and provided manpower. Brillant estimated there were about 30 firefighters battling the flames. Pownal fire department provided station coverage for Durham.

Although the homeowners weren’t home when the fire broke out, Brillant said two cats and a dog perished in the fire. As of the time he left the scene himself, there were no firefighter or civilian injuries.

The fire caused extensive damage to the kitchen area, smoke and heat damage to the rest of the first floor and smoke damage to the second floor of the home — a 24-foot-by-36-foot one-in-a-half-story cape. Brillant didn’t know Friday afternoon where the Jacques would stay but said they were in contact with a local chapter of the American Red Cross, which assists victims of fires with food, clothing and shelter. The Jacques did have fire insurance, Brillant said.

At about 5 p.m., Brillant said that the state fire marshal’s office, which sent an investigator to the scene, found the cause of the fire was undetermined, but did determine the fire started in the kitchen.

dmoore@timesrecord.com