Fire destroys Spring Hill home

SPRING HILL — Two cats and one dog are missing after an electrical fire destroyed much of their Spring Hill home, authorities said.

Neighbor Merrille Bartley said she called 911 Wednesday morning after seeing smoke rising from the house at 1416 Findlay Ave., a report from the Hernando County Sheriff's Office said.

Homeowner Lori Garetano told a deputy her three cats and two dogs were in the house.

One cat and one dog were found alive, a Sheriff's Office report said.

Authorities think the other animals are buried under the rubble of the home.

Garetano told deputies her home was not insured.

A Spring Hill Fire Rescue official said an electrical problem caused the fire, the report said, but the Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative said the power had been turned off the day before at 3 p.m.

Fire Marshal Tom Hall is continuing the investigation, the report said.