SALINE COUNTY – An electrical issue is believed to be responsible for starting a fire at a rural Saline County home on Tuesday, according to fire investigators.

Just after 5:30 p.m., John Tillman arrived at the residence at 9104 Fairchilds Road and smelled smoke inside, according to Saline County Sheriff’s Lt. Michael Ascher.

Tillman discovered the fire in the garage, and called 9-1-1.

When fire units from Saline County Rural Fire Districts #2 and #6 arrived, they found the garage fully involved in fire that spread to the home.

A heat lamp plugged into an extension cord had been on in the garage to provide warmth for a dog.

The dog did not survive.

Loss of the home, garage, and personal items has been placed at $450 thousand dollars.

There were no other injuries reported.