Dunlora home owned by Albemarle Supervisor destroyed in afternoon fire Monday afternoon

Albemarle County Supervisor Ned Gallaway has thanked expressed his appreciation for Albemarle public safety officials for their response to a fire that destroyed his family’s home on Monday afternoon.

“While this has been a deeply personal loss for my family, I want to publicly thank Albemarle County Fire Rescue, including both career and volunteer members, as well as the Albemarle County Police Department and other first responders who acted quickly to contain the fire,” Gallaway said in a statement sent out by Albemarle County at 7:18 a.m. on Wednesday.

Police officers and firefighters responded Monday to a report of a fire at a single family house on Loring Circle in the Dunlora subdivision in Albemarle County.

“A responding officer with the Albemarle County Police Department arrived three minutes after dispatch to discover a single-family residence fully engulfed in flames,” reads an information release sent out May 19 at 9:47 p.m. “The first arriving suppression unit arrived on location six minutes after dispatch, at which time the structure fire was spreading to two nearby homes.”

Those two homes were spared from total destruction but the damage to the initial structure was complete and the residents have been displaced. Two pet dogs were killed in the fire and attempts were ongoing to locate pet cats.

Officers with the Charlottesville Fire Department also responded to the call and the blaze was extinguished by 6:15 p.m.

On Wednesday morning the Fire Marshal’s office reported that the fire was accidental in nature.

Gallaway is asking for privacy while he and his family process losing their home.

“I’ve always been proud to serve this community, and in the wake of this loss, I’ve seen firsthand just how compassionate it is,” Gallaway said. “My family and I are deeply grateful for every person who has reached out in support.”

Albemarle Fire Rescue urges people to have a plan for emergencies. Visit their website for more information.

Before you go: A version of this story was sent out in the May 20, 2025 edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement but this story was posted with the additional information. This version will be posted in the May 21, 2025 edition. If you would like to support the work, take a look at some options here.