Family dog dies in JCC house fire

JAMES CITY COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) - Investigators say a fire that ripped through a James City County home Wednesday afternoon started in the kitchen and was accidental.

Chief Tal Luton with the James City County Fire Department said crews responded to a house fire around 2 p.m. in the 4200 block of Ambassador Circle in the Monticello Woods subdivision when a neighbor reported flames and smoke coming from the home.

A dog was said to still be inside the home.

When the first units arrived, they found heavy smoke coming from the back of the home and a second alarm sounded at 2:15 p.m. Firefighters were able to get the blaze under control just before 3 p.m. and Luton said the family’s dog did not survive.

A total of 32 firefighters responded to the scene with three pumpers, one quint ladder truck, two heavy rescue trucks and two ambulances. One firefighter was said to have received a minor burn.

Luton said the home’s first and second floors as well as the attic space have been severely damaged by fire and smoke.

Parents of children in the neighborhood were assisted by Williamsburg-James City County School transportation.