A Pearl River County family lost their pet dog in a fire that occurred Saturday just before 11 p.m.
Pearl River County Fire Marshal Albert Lee said emergency responders were alerted to the fire at 10:52 p.m. on Saturday by the homeowner, who had arrived at her home in the 400 block of Hunter’s Trace to find smoke in the structure after opening the garage.
Lee said firefighters from Southeast, Carriere and Lee Town volunteer fire departments responded to the call. Responders from Nicholson and McNeill volunteer fire departments were cancelled while en route.
Lee said preliminary investigation into the cause of the fire ruled it as accidental, possibly from an electrical short in the area of the stove, or possible lightning strike during the storm that night. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire quickly upon arrival.
“The firemen did an excellent job containing the fire,” Lee said.
While the fire was contained to the kitchen, the rest of the home was damaged by heavy smoke and the family dog perished, Lee said.