A family in the Kanawha County community of Rand is trying to piece together what happened after their house caught on fire just after they left for work Monday afternoon.
Debbie and Darrell Smith had three dogs that were trapped inside of their home. Firefighters from Malden and Rand volunteer fire departments were able to get all of the dogs out of the house, but one didn't survive.
The fire started in the kitchen. There is smoke damage and ash throughout the house, but Rand Fire Chief Bill White says the damage could have been worse.
"When somebody calls 911 to report a house fire, in most areas of the county, it's kind of like a lottery, White said. "You take what you have, do with what you have. A lot of times things work out, and today things worked out."