A Citrus County man was injured while trying unsuccessfully to rescue his pet dogs from a mobile home fire early Friday morning.
The fire broke out at the home on East Parsons Point in Hernando at around 4:30 a.m.
When firefighters arrived, they found the home fully involved in flames. There were no fire hydrants in teh immediate area, so crews had to bring water to the fire using apparatus shuttles.
After two hours, crews were able to put out the fire. The 500-square-foot home was extensively damaged, as was a Mercury Mountaineer SUV.
Officials said Josh Vantassell was burned while trying to rescue his pet dogs from the fire. He was unable to get them out, and the dogs died.
Vantassell was taken to the hospital for treatment.
A woman who was also in the home at the time of the fire was not injured.
Damages to the home are estimated at over $25,000.
The State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of the fire.