HAYMARKET, Va. (DC News Now) — On Monday morning, firefighters rescued a dog from a house that exploded in Haymarket last week.
The Prince William County Fire Marshal’s Office (FMO) said that someone reported hearing a dog barking in the wreckage of the house on Colby Hunt Court.
When crews arrived, they also heard the dog in part of the collapsed building.
Firefighters spent around 20 minutes stabilizing the structure to free the dog, and with the help of some “good old coaxing by the home’s owner,” Brandy the dog emerged.
“She appeared to be in good shape and showed her happiness of being freed by rapid tail wagging,” the FMO said in a news release.
Prince William Professional Firefighters said in a Facebook post, that after “an incredible story of survival,” it looks like Brandy should make a full recovery.
“It looked like what I think was an interior wall had blown out of the house and was resting on top of the dog,” Prince William County Fire and Rescue (PWCFR) Lt. Mark Waldrop, said.
According to the owners, Brandy was home with family by Monday night, resting with no major medical issues — just minor scrapes and burns.
Brandy is a rescue pup that the family adopted in January 2020 when she was eight weeks old. Her owner told DC News Now that “today, we feel like our family is whole again.”
“Surprise was probably our initial reaction,” said Andrew Silvernale, a technician with PWCFR. “I know the homeowners are probably surprised as well.”
Waldrop called the dog’s survival “pretty remarkable.”
“I can’t speculate how long a dog can go without food or water, but clearly at least six days, right?” So we’re just glad we got them out,” he said. “We’re just glad we could bring some happiness to the family who lost everything.”
To help the two families who lived in the home, the Haymarket Police Department is collecting donations.
In a Facebook post, the department details which items are in need, which includes sizes for clothing items.
The following items can be dropped off at the police department any weekday between 8 a.m., and 6 p.m.:
- Women’s clothing:
- Shirt size: XL to 1X
- Leggings: XL
- Shoes size: 8
- Bra size: 2XL
- Men’s Clothing:
- Shirt size: XL or XXL
- Shoe size: 10.5
- Women’s and men’s toiletries
- 2-year-old boy’s toddler clothing: (size: 2T/24m)
- Shirts
- Sweats
- Pajamas
- Jackets
- Shoes
- 4-year-old girl’s toddler clothing: (size: 3T/4T)
- 7/8 size shoes
- Underwear
- Size 5 diapers
- Wipes
- Boys toys:
- Cars
- Books
- Balls
- Round binky
