A Kitsap County fire commissioner who's more familiar with balancing fire department budgets than she is with battling flames prevented a potential tragedy Friday morning when she spotted a house fire while walking to the Kingston ferry. Gillian Gregory had parked at a friend's house and was walking through a neighborhood near the ferry terminal at about 4:40 a.m. when she spotted flames erupting on the porch of a home. The fire was spreading toward the home's only door and would soon block anyone from entering or exiting the home if nothing were done. Gregory ran up and began pounding on the door and windows of the home. A man who lives there was awakened by the pounding. He woke up the home's other occupants, a woman and two children, and evacuated them from the house while Gregory called 911. The man then grabbed a fire extinguisher and a garden hose to douse the flames. North Kitsap Fire & Rescue spokeswoman Michele Laboda said Gregory's actions and the man's quick response limited the extent of damage and prevented any injuries.