Two brothers lost nearly all their possessions early Sunday morning when a fire gutted their rental house at Useless Bay.

The brothers, who were not identified, were not at home at the time of the fire, and there were no injuries, Island County Fire District 3 Deputy Chief Jon Beck said Monday.

Flames had enveloped the two-story, three-bedroom house on Melendy Drive near Highway 525 by the time firefighters arrived about 3 a.m., Beck said. About 45 South Whidbey firefighters responded, and knocked down the flames in about a half hour, he said.

“We had water on the fire within 10 minutes of the initial call,” Beck said. “We had a great response.”

Beck said the alarm was called in by a neighbor, who reported a rear porch on fire.

The house, believed to be about 20 years old, sustained an estimated $250,000 loss. It’s owner is currently in Taiwan, Beck said.

Beck said the fire appears to have started under the house at the rear. He said the investigation continues, but that suspicious circumstances have been ruled out.

He said the occupants said they had moved in only about two months ago, and still had belongings in unpacked boxes. Beck said the brothers did not have renter’s insurance.

“They lost all their possessions,” Beck said. “But at least they weren’t home. Every room was involved in flames when we arrived. It might have been a different story.”

He said an Island County sheriff’s deputy was the first to arrive on the scene, followed quickly by five fire engines, three water tenders, four support vehicles and three medical responders.

Beck said firefighters spent about 11 hours on the scene.