A fire which destroyed a Gum Branch mobile home Saturday has displaced three people and killed a pet dog.

The fire, which began shortly before 11 p.m. on the 4900 block of Highway 196 West, completely destroyed the mobile home.

As firefighters from Liberty County Station 15 and Walthourville Fire Department arrived on scene the home was engulfed in flames. 

When firemen opened the front door of the home to fight the interior flames, a fire ball escaped from the residence shooting flames several feet in the air.

According to Walthourville Fire Department Deputy Chief Anthony Burns, no one was at home at the time of the fire.  A pet German shepherd was inside the residence and was later found dead.  Burns said two firefighters sustained minor injuries when one became dehydrated and another sprained his ankle.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.