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Virginia Beach police officer assaulted while responding to house fire

Posted at 6:06 AM, May 25, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-25 20:07:47-04

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - A man and woman were severely burned in a fire at their home in the 3000 block of Driftwood Court early Wednesday morning.

Emergency dispatchers received a call reporting a person and house on fire at the home around 1:30 a.m.

Fire crews arrived to find the man and woman with severe burns. Both were conscious and alert as they were transported to the hospital, officials say.

According to Virginia Beach Police, an officer who responded to the fire was assaulted by someone while at the scene. However, no arrests have been made at this time.

A man who answered the door at the home had bandages covering his arms.  He said he is doing okay, but that the woman is not doing as well.

The man wouldn't answer any questions about what happened and told NewsChannel 3 reporter Margaret Kavanagh to get off of his property.

Trainum said, "I woke up from all the lights. There were about four fire trucks, EMT truck, a big old ambulance, police and I saw them wheel someone out on a stretcher," said Jesse Trainum, who lives down the street.

Police said an officer was assaulted by a person at the scene, but police would not elaborate on what happened, only saying the assault is under investigation.

Police records show that officers were dispatched out to the cul-de-sac three times prior to Wednesday morning.

Officials say they are unsure if the fire was set on purpose. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.