A Woodland Lakes man and his dog were found dead when firefighters extinguished a house fire at 313 Court Drive around 11:30 p.m. Monday, according to Lake George Volunteer Fire and Rescue Chief Samantha Ashdown.
“When we arrived with the Fleming Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, the structure, which was a camper with additions added to it to make it a permanent structure, was fully engul fed in flames,” the chief said. “We were told by bystanders they believed a man and his dog were still inside.”
Ashdown said the heat was intense and it took firefighters nearly two hours to extinguish the fire before they were able to enter the residence.
The victim, Robert Bullard, 53, was found lying by the back door along with his lab/collie mix.
Liberty County Fire Coordinator James Ashdown said Bullard’s dog stayed with him until the end.
“We found the dog laying across his legs. From what I was able to determine, the dog had an opportunity to run from the residence and opted to stay with Mr. Bullard,” James Ashdown said.
The cause of the fire more than likely will be undetermined due to the amount of damage the blaze  caused, he said.
Liberty County Coroner Reginald Pierce said Bullard’s body was taken to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime lab Tuesday in Savannah, where an autopsy was conducted. Pierce said there were no signs of foul play and the death appears to be accidental.