A Prince George County firefighter needed to be rescued after he fell through the floor of a burning house early Wednesday morning, according to The Press-Index.
Crews responded to the fire in the 6300 block of County Drive around 1 a.m. to find heavy fire conditions and no residents outside the home.
Fire and EMS Deputy Director Brad Owens told the newspaper that firefighters had to assume there were residents still inside the structure and were "aggressive" in battling the flames
One firefighter who entered the structure during the search for occupants fell through the floor about waist deep, prompting a mayday call.
A fellow firefighter was able to pull him out of the hole and both managed to get out of the house safely.
Owens said that the firefighter was uninjured and his gear and equipment were not damaged.
The home's owner returned as crews were fighting the flames and were informed that no one was inside.
While no injuries were sustained in the fire, a pet that was inside died.
The close to half of the home was destroyed and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation.