A family is safe after their house caught on fire Thursday outside of Aberdeen. Sadly, their two small dogs perished in the fire.

The home was located on Maxie Lane, just off of Rose Ridge Road. Neighbors first noticed the fire and called 911.

When the first fire crews arrived on the scene, the home was consumed with heavy flames and smoke. No one was at the home when the blaze ignited.

The fire had spread from the home to a storage building behind the home, and several crews worked to contain the blaze from spreading further.

Due to the rural location of the fire, fire tankers had to shuttle water from a hydrant several miles away. Fire tankers were brought in from several fire districts to aid in the supply of water.

When the homeowner arrived, they advised that their two dogs were inside the home, and they were devastated by their loss.

The exact cause of the fire is under investigation.

Responding to the scene were fire units from Aberdeen, Pinebluff, Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Eastwood, Carthage, and West End. Also on the scene were Moore County EMS, Moore County Fire Marshal, and the Moore County Sheriff’s Department.