The Dunlora residence destroyed in a fire Monday has been confirmed to be the home of Albemarle County Supervisor Ned Gallaway.
Gallaway thanked first responders in a statement posted Wednesday morning by the Albemarle County Fire Rescue on X.
“I’ve always been proud to serve this community, and in the wake of this loss, l’ve seen firsthand just how compassionate it is,” said Gallaway, who has served the county’s Rio District on the board since 2017 and is now running for reelection. “My family and I are deeply grateful for every person who has reached out in support.”
The Gallaway house at 2159 Loring Circle in the Dunlora subdivision just north of Charlottesville was unoccupied at the time of the fire, which started a little before 5 p.m. Monday. The Albemarle County Fire Marshal’s Office is still investigating its cause.
The house was engulfed in flames within minutes, according to neighbors and witnesses. While the fire was contained with an hour and a half, the Gallaway house was deemed a total loss and two nearby houses were damaged.
While no one was injured, the Gallaways did lose two dogs and their four cats are still missing.
Dunlora, which neighbors described as a tight-knit community, is rallying around the family.
“The profound loss they’ve experienced is unimaginable,” Alyson O’Sullivan, an old neighbor and family friend of the Gallaways, posted on a GoFundMe fundraiser she created on the Gallaways’ behalf to help cover essential needs for the family, including temporary housing.
More than 180 people had donated more than $35,000 as of Wednesday evening.
The GoFundme can be found at www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-gallaway-family-recover-from-house-fire.
Source: www.dailyprogress.com