A beloved family pet perished in an early morning fire in Port Neches.

The dog, a longtime pet of Liz Morales, likely died from smoke inhalation, Port Neches Assistant Fire Chief Shawn Gearinger said.

The home, located in the 3100 block of Hardwood Drive, sustained fire damage to the kitchen and dining areas and smoke damage to other areas of the house. The attic area, he said, was not breached.

Neighbors sat in their front yards and watched as fire fighters worked on the blaze which was called in to officials at 7:11 a.m. Tuesday.

Morales is a nurse at a local hospital and was not home at the time of the fire. She declined to comment.

Gearinger said the cause of the house fire is under investigation.

“It appears to have started in the kitchen area,” he said. “We are still trying to pinpoint the cause but there is nothing suspicious.”

The home was extensively damaged during Hurricane Rita in 2005 and final repairs were recently completed, a neighbor reported.

Groves and Nederland Fire Departments assisted Port Neches as per Automatic Assistance Coverage.