A dog and a cat perished in a fire that gutted a home in the Normandy Village neighborhood in Fredericksburg early Wednesday.

A man in the home was hospitalized with possible smoke inhalation, and a woman was treated and released, fire officials said.

Deputy Fire Chief Mike Jones of the Fredericksburg Fire Department said units were dispatched to 604 Woodford St. about 4:25 a.m. When units arrived a short time later, Jones said the blaze had taken over the right side of the one-story brick rambler.

The flames also reached the home next door on the street off Fall Hill Avenue and were burning the siding of that house, Jones said.

The occupants of both homes had escaped the buildings and were standing outside when units arrived, Jones said.

A man living at 604 Woodford St. was transported to Mary Washington Hospital for possible smoke inhalation, he said. His condition was not available Wednesday.

A woman who lived there was treated at the hospital and released, Jones said.

"The occupants at 604 did have a dog and cat, and both perished in the fire," he said.

Most of the fire was extinguished within 25 minutes, Jones said. He said two firefighters suffered very minor heat-related issues, but will be OK.

A live electrical service wire had burned and dropped to the ground, he said, but Dominion Virginia Power came and disconnected electricity to both of the homes.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Jones said he thinks it may have originated in the rear right corner of the enclosed garage area of the house.

According to Jones, the house, valued at $80,000 by the city, "is pretty much a total loss."

Damage to the house next door is estimated to be about $7,000--the cost to replace the siding and windows, he said.

The Fredericksburg Fire Department was assisted by the Stafford County Fire Department and the Spotsylvania Rescue Squad.

All fire units cleared the scene shortly before 8:30 a.m., he said.

Portsia Smith: 540/374-5419
Email: psmith@fredericksburg.com