Dog Rescued From Rubble 6 Days After Home Explosion In Haymarket

HAYMARKET, VA — Six days after a gas leak sparked a home explosion in Haymarket that residents thought killed two cats and a dog, rescuers pulled a missing dog from the rubble of the house.

Prince William County Fire and Rescue had initially responded to a report of a gas leak around 4:17 p.m. Oct. 15 in the 5900 block of Coby Hunt Court in Haymarket. Around 5:36 p.m., the fire department said the home had exploded, and residents initially thought three pets were killed.

Emergency responders evacuated the home before the explosion, authorities said.

But on Monday morning, firefighters returned to the site of the blast after receiving a report of a dog trapped and barking in the debris. Crews could hear Brandy, the dog, trapped under part of the collapsed structure.

Firefighters freed the pet after shoring up and stabilizing the remains of the house, "and some good old coaxing by the home’s owner. She appeared to be in good shape and showed her happiness of being freed by rapid tail wagging," the department posted on social media.

"After an incredible story of survival, the dog is expected to make a full recovery from the incident," the Prince William Professional Firefighters union said in a social media post.

In an interview with WTOP, homeowner Jarrett Struniak said he and his family were outside the home for about 20 minutes when their neighbors were also evacuated. He confirmed three pets died in the blaze.

“Once … I heard the bang, everything else just kind of went quiet after that. … It’s crazy how surreal and silent things go when you’re watching everything go up in flames," he told WTOP. “I lost a 10-year best friend and 4-year-old cat that was very much part of our family."

Struniak was among four adults and two children who lived in the home. The two families were not related, authorities said. No other injuries were reported.

Fire officials said they believe an underground contractor had struck a natural gas line, but it remains unclear what caused the explosion.

Several vehicles were damaged by debris from the explosion, authorities said.

The home explosion marked the second in Virginia this year. In February, a firefighter died and 13 others were injured after a leaking propane tank led to an explosion at a home in Sterling.