Firefighters with Marion County Fire Rescue rescued two dogs Thursday afternoon from a residential structure fire in Summerfield.
At 3:17 p.m., dispatchers at the Marion County Public Safety Communications department received an emergency call from a neighbor of a structure fire at 16280 SE 88th Ave. The caller advised that the home was on fire and there were dogs inside the structure.
Engine 10 crews were clearing a previous call at the Villages Veteran’s Affairs Outpatient Clinic when they spotted a column of black smoke. They responded in that direction to investigate. Heavy smoke and flames were showing from the 2,000 square foot, two-story residence when they arrived first on scene at 3:18 p.m. The crew went into immediate rescue mode and conducted a primary and secondary search. No one was home at the time of the fire.
Fire crews began an aggressive interior attack on the fire. They were able to use salvage covers on the first floor furniture, hoping to save the contents of the rooms from being ruined. The fire was called under control at 3:50 p.m.
Two dogs were rescued from the residence, unfortunately, one dog perished. Paramedics administered oxygen to one of the rescued dogs. Neighbors cared for the dogs while fire crews awaited the resident’s arrival.
Eighteen firefighters and six units were dedicated to the fire. The cause of the fire has not been determined and is under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s office.
