The Tallahassee Fire Department responded to a home on fire at 9:22 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
James Quigley is trying to figure out where his family is going to sleep after his family’s house burned down Tuesday night.
The Tallahassee Fire Department was dispatched to Mahan Drive at approximately 9:22 p.m. on April 7 to respond to a single-story house on fire.
“Upon arrival, crews encountered a single-story residence with flames visible from the attic and extending from the rear of the home. The initial report indicated a deck fire in the backyard; however, due to fire spread to the structure, additional resources were immediately requested,” a TFD release said.
It took firefighters more than 30 minutes to bring the fire under control. Quigley is taking the news in stride as he works through things like making sure his child has shoes.
“Our family home is gone which is sad, but we have insurance,” Quigley said, when asked if they would be doing a GoFundMe.
The Tallahassee Fire Department responded to a home on fire at 9:22 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
No one was harmed in the incident, as Quigley and his family had escaped by the time firefighters arrived.
As he works through the insurance process, Quigley is now focused on keeping his business thriving. Firefighters noted that fourteen dogs were in a separate structure on the property and “safely sheltered in place with no exposure to the fire.”
The structure houses Wagland Kennels, which has been in operation for 20 years and is owned by the Quigleys.
The kennel is still in operation, and the animals are safe and happy on the property, Quigley said.
“Me and my wife made a commitment to those families to take care of their dogs, and they know what’s going on,” he added.
Quigley said families can continue to book with the kennel going forward since the structure and business was not damaged in any way.
The Tallahassee Fire Department responded to a home on fire at 9:22 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
“We are up and running and committed to stay that way, meaning we’ll do whatever it takes to make sure we have a place for your dogs, and they are safe in a facility that’s well run like always,” Quigley said.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by TFD’s Prevention Division.
Alaijah Cross covers children & families for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at abrown@tallahassee.com.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee family home burns; no injuries reported