UPDATE: Several dogs perish in Willing barn fire - man escapes flames

Several dogs died when flames ripped through a barn and living space on Riley Road in Willing late Wednesday night. Jeff Luckey, Allegany County Emergency Management Director, said a family member of the property owner had constructed a small living space inside the barn. Luckey said the occupant was awakened around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday by smoke. The man quickly fled the burning barn and called 911. Firefighters and equipment from New York and Pennsylvania assisted the Willing fire department at the scene. Luckey said the cause of the fire was listed as accidental. Horses located near the barn were not harmed. Luckey described the living area as a "small loft." The fire was declared out about an hour after fire crews arrived, however, they returned to the scene Thursday morning when the debris re-kindled. Luckey said the building was "a total loss."