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DC Officer's Odenton Home Destroyed By Fire

ODENTON (WJZ)--Tense moments early this morning for a D.C police officer and firefighters in Anne Arundel County.

Mike Schuh has the story from the scene in Odenton.

The front of this house is still standing, but much of the side, roof, and back are gone.

A D.C. K-9 officer was on patrol at 4 a.m., his partner says they were called and told about a fire in his home. They arrive to find 4 fire departments at work--Firefighters who heard explosions when they arrived.

"It was heard by one of the responders here and that's why the decided to do the defensive operation." said Lt. Will Bethea, Anne Arundel County Fire.

They learned there was ammunition inside... here's why.

"The house is owned by a dc police officer so it's what they would normally have in their house," said Bethea.

And if it's not loaded in a gun... it's much much better.

"A lot of studies have shown that when ammunition isn't in a weapon it's not really dangerous," Bethea said.

The officer was able to tell firefighters what was inside.

"And once they got more information i think they actually did go in," said Bethea.

Most importantly, his wife, daughter, and his retired K-9 partner were all safe.

The house though is gutted--The fire intense enough to melt a fence 40 feet away.

Authorities say no one was hurt during the blaze but two family pets are unaccounted for.

Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire.

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