Officials: Dog started house fire

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - Virginia Beach Fire Department officials say a dog set an Oceanfront bungalow ablaze Wednesday afternoon.

Richard Fedorowicz, Jr. with the Virginia Beach Fire Department said a Rottweiler is responsible for turning on a stove, igniting kitchen cabinets and setting a bungalow on fire in the 500 block of 25 ½ Street.

"It's just kind of overwhelming and shocking," homeowner Mike McFarland said. "It's pretty emotional. I've been there a little over two years so that was difficult."

McFarland lived in the home with his girlfriend and their dog, Rooney. McFarland said Rooney the Rottweiler has a liver disorder and his medicine has made him more hungry than normal. McFarland thinks Rooney jumped up on the stove to try to get some food out of the cabinet.

"When [Rooney] comes down [from the cabinet], he flips on the stove," McFarland said. "There are four handles and the gas just got turned on."

Fedorowicz said Rooney caused the flames, which significantly damaged McFarland's home and belongings. However, a neighbor was able to pull Rooney out from the home before crews arrived to the scene.

"He's just been an amazing dog for three years,"  McFarland added.  "That would have been tough."

Courtesy Virginia Beach Fire Department