Dispatcher takes call about fire that destroyed her own home

By Margaret Matray
The Virginian-Pilot

SUFFOLK, Va. — A Suffolk dispatcher’s home was destroyed — and her three dogs killed — in a fire that broke out in the early morning hours Thursday.

Dispatcher Barbara Hughes was working when she took a 911 call reporting a blaze in the area where she lives. She dispatched the call herself before rushing to the scene, according to a Suffolk Police Department Facebook post and a GoFundMe page set up for Hughes.

https://www.facebook.com/suffolkpolicedepartment/posts/2205421496143125?__xts__[0]=68.ARBoJ_zRclR8YO4KYqtDmU0xaM5gHmez3mBkGvOCmS84EXuqtkCvMiHHxDgv8ggbsw9soE-WY05RMqVIT3fdZ5rFpczYeOW_keEKq0hBSeEqUrwG_mHBkRkM65zlHzOt22NFbTPLmX0-fYxKw-flQg-mpHOIurvWbc54DYPqPLZcwv-ichil9VRIw6Tv5HlunYFn6UsxF10fx9CeRgJFUZllDodFmQjzF0-RFy1hd6-yqwydLNZKpmuWkCbqAIWzFhrgZFqwlJo-qU1YTcGlXYrg9A18RyU-LSOYUSmWNFsijrmSPL4dY6iTXSh2-uKVa_jeYz7iFS0--PufkmEX9voPGA&__tn__=-R

Shortly after 1:30 a.m., fire crews arrived to a “fully involved” fire in the 3100 block of Indian Trail at the corner of Deer Path Road, according to a city news release. The fire was deemed under control a little less than an hour later.

The Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause.

Hughes was being assisted by family, and a GoFundMe page was set up to raise funds to assist her. She could not be reached for comment Thursday.

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