Neighbors and firefighters rescued three Pomeranians from a burning Mililani townhouse Wednesday, but a fourth did not survive.

“Neighbors did major good Samaritan work,” fire Capt. Terry Seelig said. “They responded quickly to the smell and saw smoke coming out, and they chose to break the door,” freeing two dogs that were right by the door.

The residents, a woman and her adult son, were not home at the time of the 10:30 a.m. blaze, which was under control within five minutes of firefighters’ arrival, and extinguished at 10:50 a.m.

Firefighters discovered an unconscious dog just beyond the door in the two-story Kuauli Street townhouse. Heavy smoke had prevented the neighbors who broke into the house from finding the pet.

The “fire was too large, so they stayed out,” he added.

Firefighters revived the unconscious dog using their smallest bag valve mask, which is designed to seal over the mouth and nose of human victims. No mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or chest compressions were used, Seelig said.

The body of the fourth Pomeranian was found much later in the kitchen, he said.

The blaze caused an estimated $100,000 in damage, Seelig said.

Fire investigators determined the fire, which began in the kitchen, was caused by an electrical malfunction of one of two small countertop appliances plugged into the wall. Seelig said they could not be certain which appliance caused the fire.

If an appliance is plugged into the wall, even though it is off, it is energized, Seelig said.

Seelig advises inspecting appliances for possible problems, irregular smells or sounds or changes in electrical behavior, such as dimming lights and frayed wires.