A large fire broke out at Black Creek Kennels, a family-owned dog breeding business, in Sampson County on Wednesday night.
Firefighters responded to the fire on Black Creek Trail in Godwin just after 9 p.m., according to Sampson County Fire Marshal Prentice Madgar.
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The building was used as a multi-purpose facility, which included housing several dogs.
According to a website for Black Creek Kennels, they breed Boxers, Cocker Spaniels, and Dachshunds.
Fire officials said animals were inside the structure at the time of the fire, but it is unknown at this time how many dogs were injured or killed in the fire. There were no other injuries.
No one was at home when the fire started.
“At this time, there is no indication that the fire was anything other than a tragic accident,” Madgar wrote in a press release to WRAL News.
The Clement Fire Department, Godwin-Falcon Fire Department, Plain View Fire Department, Spivey's Corner Fire Department, and Herring Fire Department all responded to the fire, along with Sampson County Emergency Services 5, Sampson County Sheriff’s Office, and South River EMC.