The fire broke out just before 4 p.m. at the Whittaker Road residence, a neighbour noticing smoke emanating from the house. O'Connor Township Fire Chief Henry Mattas said the home was completely engulfed in flames when crews arrived on scene.
The neighbour was able to kick down a door and rescue the family's two dogs -- although a cat did not survive.
The owners had made a trip into Thunder Bay and returned to find their home destroyed.
A Go Fund Me was set up to help cover immediate expenses for the couple and their two small children, quickly surpassing its $10,000 goal.
Mattas said the cause of fire will likely never be known due to the total destruction of the fire.