Fire officials with Clallam County Fire District 3 report a house fire on 3 Crabs Road started accidentally late Monday night.

Firefighters responded to 223 3 Crabs Road in Dungeness north of Sequim to a two-story vacation rental at 8:23 p.m. Dec. 18 that was fully engulfed in flames.

Assistant chief Dan Orr said no one was home and the homeowner was anticipating renters in the coming days.

Orr reported on Wednesday that fire investigators discovered the fire started on the front porch and spread quickly to the attic.

“By the time the fire was reported and the district responded, the home was completely involved,” he said.

Firefighters extinguished the fire around midnight, and despite heavy rains, they were restricted due to high winds and no nearby water source with high enough water pressure for quick water tank refills, he said.

Water tenders were filled up and transported to the scene from hydrants at Dungeness Community Church, more than 1 1/2 miles away, and Sunland, more than 3 miles away, said Assistant Chief Eric Quitslund, who served as duty chief for the fire.

Where the fire began in the home is unknown, Orr said, and investigators, who began looking into the cause Tuesday morning, will not have a determination for at least a few days.

The home is a total loss, Orr said, but the home was insured. No homes on either side of the fire were damaged, he said.

Captain Chris Turner with Clallam County Fire District 3 leads Explorer Scouts with Post 1003 in fighting a house fire on Dec. 18 on 3 Crabs Road. Firefighters reported to the scene around 8:30 p.m. and extinguished it around midnight. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash