POULSBO — A residence was heavily damaged, but the family living inside was able to escape the Tuesday morning house fire on Erickson Lane.

Crews from the Poulsbo Fire Department as well as North Kitsap Fire and Rescue, Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue, and Navy Region Northwest responded to the call at the home near Highway 3 just before 8 a.m.

When firefighters arrived on scene, flames and smoke were visible from the outside, said Jody Matson of the Poulsbo Fire Department. Responders were able to extinguish the fire quickly, in just 12 minutes, however the family of five and their pets will be displaced. The family was in the process of moving, though, Matson said.

The father of the family was awoken in the morning by “crackling sounds,” Matson said. He thought there were people trying to break into his car, but when he went outside, he discovered the house was on fire. The man, his wife and their 12- and 11-year-old sons and their pets all exited the residence safely. The family also has a five-year-old daughter who was with friends at the time.

The Kitsap County Fire Marshal is currently investigating the incident.

— Mark Krulish is a reporter for Kitsap News Group. He can be reached at mkrulish@soundpublishing.com.