Firefighters were prepared for a blaze but faced an aggressive pit bull first.
The tone sounded at 0218 hours on November 14, and Newport News firefighters geared up and headed out, their first obstacle had four legs and sharp teeth.
The call stated possible structure fire, first on scene crews reported heavy fire and smoke pouring from the front and left side of the two story brick duplex at 28th Street.
The pitbull was located on the property and was preventing the firefighters from performing their duties. Animal Control was dispatched to contain the canine and the fireground operation continued.
Officials said, the two units were divided by a solid brick wall, which helped to contain the fire to the left-hand side of the duplex. The structure was believed to be vacant and had no electricity or water connected. Firefighters quickly conducted a primary and secondary search for anyone who might be using the structure for shelter.
After the searches were completed firefighters battled the blaze in defensive mode due to the threat of structural collapse.
Witnesses say that four people were in the structure at the time of the fire. Three occupants escaped from the front door and one jumped from a second-story window prior to firefighters arriving on the scene. No one was injured in the early morning blaze.
Firefighters battled the blaze for two hours. The cause is under investigation.
