Dog dies in Newport News fire; family displaced

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — A house fire in Newport News has left a family displaced and one dog dead.

On Sunday, Oct. 20, the Newport News Fire Department responded to a two-alarm on the 800 block of Cascade Drive around 7 a.m.

According to officials, the home was heavily damaged by the fire. No people were injured. One dog died in the fire, and four other dogs were rescued.

A viewer’s video shows multiple fire engines on the scene, and pictures show flames raging from the roof with large plumes of black smoke pouring from the windows.

“It was a scary sight at first, just seeing all the flames and everything going on, really, oh no. I was scared afterwards. I was like, dang, like, my house is really burned. It was, it was like a nightmare, actually,” said Kristen Toombs, a resident in the house.

Demarion Brown, who lives across the street from the residence, got a phone call from Toombs.

“I wasn’t expecting to get that phone call in the morning. 6:50 in the morning. I was knocked out. He called me talking about something. Come outside. Come outside. I’m like, what happened, bro? He told me, my house is on fire,” said Brown.

The front door, windows and garage were damaged by the fire. Toombs said he is just glad everyone is safe.

“I woke up in the house. I’m like, coughing, choking on this smoke, and then I hear my family, and it’s like I was just making sure everybody was out of there. I was the last person out of there. But yeah, I’m just glad everybody’s safe,” said Toombs.

10 On Your Side spoke with the residents of the neighboring homes. They were asked to evacuate. Kamili Newsome heard a loud boom and quickly got up to leave in case her house caught on fire.

“When I looked out through my blinds, I saw a huge fire, you know, burning up the side of my neighbor’s house, in the back of their house. So, I immediately grabbed my dog and my keys and got out of the house to my car and got to safety,” said Newsome.

Toombs said his family is no longer able to live in the house.

“All our stuff is burnt, like pictures, a lot of stuff, but, oh no, I’m just glad everybody okay, my family, okay, that’s what most matters,” said Toombs.

The fire marshal’s office is investigating the cause of the fire.