A family dog and cat both died in a fire Wednesday in a Caroline County home. The Office of the State Fire Marshal said the firefighters responded to the home at 5281 Newton Rd in Preston just before 1 p.m.
The occupants were not home at the time but a Caroline County paramedic driving by the home observed smoke in the area and reported it.
Officials are investigating what may have started the fire; the total damage is estimated to be $300,000.