SUFFOLK, Va. — Suffolk Fire & Rescue crews battled a barn fire near Nansemond Parkway Wednesday morning, an official said.
Around 7:23 a.m., a passerby contacted emergency communications after they noticed smoke in the 5100 block of Nansemond Parkway.
Fire crews arrived to find a barn engulfed in flames, Fire Marshal Lt. Chuck Chapin said in a news release.
A total of four dogs and eight puppies were found dead as a result of the fire. Another 16 adult hunting dogs and eight puppies were found on-site in fenced in kennels adjacent to the barn.
No other structures near the barn were damaged, and no one was injured.
The barn and its contents, including farm equipment and vehicles, were declared a total loss.
Suffolk Police are on scene providing traffic control.
Nansemond Parkway at Shoulders Hill Road was closed, but it has since been reopened.
The Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire was accidental. A heat lamp was left too close to combustibles.
A group of volunteers learned about the tragedy and decided to go out and search for the dogs. The group quickly grew, with Facebook users from the group 'Lost and Found Pets- Hampton Roads' eager to help.
Heather Holmes coordinated a group of volunteers.
"Once I found out that there was so many other dogs missing, I said: 'Alright, well I'm just gonna cancel all the plans I had today and until the sun goes down, I'm gonna be out here looking," said Holmes.
She said she found one of the dogs. It was hit by a car on the road. Holmes said the dog was wearing a collar with the owner's contact information on the tag. She reached out to the owner immediately, he confirmed it was one of his dogs that escaped the fire this morning.
"His voice was crackling, you could tell he was very upset," said Holmes.
She and other volunteers said they would not give up the search. They said their hearts went out to the owner and his pets.
"I'm sure he's super grateful so many volunteers have come out," said Holmes.
"So many volunteers who don’t know him. I just think the community has come together to help him out, which is amazing."
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