Police investigators say a burglary turned arson is to blame for an early morning home fire in Columbia. Fire crews arrived around 4 a.m. to 2107 Dickinson Court and found flames shooting from the home. Homeowner Samantha Fitzmorris and her two children were on vacation, but the family pit bull dog was inside and died from smoke inhalation.

Fire investigators estimate the damage is around 150-thousand dollars.  The burglars stole a 52-inch television, but authorities remained tight-lipped about evidence found at the home.

"Anytime you have any incident such as this, where a fire is set inside of a home, that is a serious crime that needs to be dealt with. You have the additional element of the burglary in this case which does make it a bit unique and is something we're actively pursuing at this time" said Captain Eric Hartman with the Columbia Fire Department.

Back in August 2008, the Fitzmorris' lost their father and husband, Steven Fitzmorris, in the Iraq War. Fitzmorris was killed by a sniper only a week before he was scheduled to return home to Columbia. 

In December of 2008, the family moved to Dickinson Court.  Fitzmorris' father and sister said the family of three was finally adjusting to the new home.  Now they say they'll have to start over again.

The Fitzmorris family will be back in Columbia Thursday.  Police investigators will work with the family to help identify suspects in this case.