GENEVA — A house was damaged and a dog died after a fire in a home east of Geneva Tuesday night. 

Five fire departments battled the blaze, at 82526 330th St., east of the intersection of Freeborn County Road 30 and 330th Street.

The homeowner, Richard Hierlmaier, was home alone at the time the fire started but safely exited after attempting to put out the fire with an extinguisher, according to the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office.

A news release stated dispatchers were alerted to the fire at 8:05 p.m.

The fire is believed to have started in the living room and likely was caused by a space heater close to a sofa.

The release stated Hierlmaier reportedly saw the fire ignite. After unsuccessfully attempting to extinguish the blaze with a fire extinguisher, he exited the house. Four of his five dogs were able to escape as well, but the fifth dog perished from smoke inhalation.

The house received extensive fire, smoke and water damage, according to the release. A damage estimate was not immediately available.

The American Red Cross was contacted to help the Hierlmaier family with alternative living arrangements. Hierlmaier is married with one child.

Geneva, Clarks Grove, Ellendale, Hollandale and Blooming Prairie fire departments responded, along with Ellendale Ambulance and the Sheriff’s Office.