Two dogs safely exit building during apartment fire in Richmond

RICHMOND, Va. -- Two dogs safely exited an apartment after officials were called to the scene in downtown Richmond for the report of a fire Sunday afternoon.

At around 1:25 p.m. on Sunday, June 8, a fire alarm was activated at an apartment complex on 800 Porter St. Soon after the alarm was activated, the Richmond Fire Department (RFD) arrived on the scene.

According to officials, firefighters noticed the smell of something burning and smoke coming from the fourth floor of the apartment. RFD believed that an active fire was taking place with the information that was given, then declared that the fire had been extinguished with a sprinkler head activation.

RFD conducted a primary search inside the apartment and found that two dogs had exited the apartment safely. Firefighters then made contact with the apartment tenant, who was reportedly 30 minutes away.

Officials said the tenant stated that he may have accidentally turned on the stovetop and left it on while cleaning earlier in the day. RFD then made contact with the property owner.

Power was reportedly isolated to multiple apartments as water leaked from the fourth floor down to the first. RFD put the building on fire watch as the sprinkler system was shut down, and the incident was later marked clear.

According to officials, no one was reported injured or displaced due to the fire.