15 dogs dead in Geneva house fire —what we know about the investigation

What began as a house fire on Snow Hill Road in Geneva has turned into a major arson and animal-cruelty investigation after authorities said as many as 18 dogs were inside the home when the fire was deliberately set.

The death toll has now reached 15 dogs, according to Seminole County officials. Only three dogs survived, and two of them remain under intensive care.

The case has also led to the arrest of Terrance Frederick Banks, 40, who is facing charges of arson and aggravated animal cruelty.

What happened Monday morning?

Firefighters were called to the home on Snow Hill Road at approximately 10 a.m. Monday, September 28.

When emergency crews arrived, part of the house was already engulfed in flames. The fire eventually destroyed the residence and caused part of the roof to collapse. No people were reported injured.

Investigators later determined that the fire was not accidental.

According to the arrest report cited by WFTV and ClickOrlando, Banks allegedly told responding deputies that he had poured gasoline on the floor and started the fire in the kitchen. The report also says Banks made unsolicited comments about setting the fire and asked deputies to take him to jail.

At least 18 dogs were believed to be inside

The number of animals involved initially wasn’t clear.

Investigators first accounted for 11 dogs. Six were initially found dead, while five others survived the initial fire but suffered serious burns, smoke inhalation or other injuries.

The investigation continued after the fire was extinguished.

On Tuesday, crews searching through the burned home recovered the remains of seven additional dogs, bringing the confirmed death toll to 15.

Authorities believe at least 18 dogs were inside the home.

According to the arrest report, Banks told investigators there could have been as many as 19 dogs, although authorities initially could account for only 11.

Some dogs were trapped in cages

One of the most serious details in the investigation is that authorities said some of the dogs were locked inside cages and could not escape as the fire spread.

Three dogs survived.

One escaped from the property during the fire and remained missing in the latest reports. Two others were taken to Seminole County Animal Services, where officials said they were receiving around-the-clock medical care.

Alan Harris, director of emergency services for Seminole County Animal Services, described the treatment area as resembling a small emergency room, with oxygen and other medical equipment being used to care for the surviving animals.

Banks faces multiple felony charges

Banks was arrested following the fire.

The arrest report lists one count of second-degree arson and 11 counts of aggravated animal cruelty. Authorities said additional animal-cruelty charges could be filed as investigators determine exactly how many animals were inside the home and what happened to them.

A Seminole County judge ordered Banks held without bond on the arson charge while the case proceeds.

Defense requests mental-health evaluation

During Banks’ first court appearance Tuesday, his attorney, Richard Hornsby, requested a professional mental-health evaluation.

The defense told the court that information provided by a witness suggested Banks may have been experiencing serious mental-health problems around the time of the fire.

Prosecutors argued that Banks could pose a danger to himself and the community.

The judge agreed to delay a decision on bond for the arson charge pending the evaluation.

The comments about Banks’ mental health are claims presented by the defense, not a court finding or independent diagnosis.

Previous threat appears in court records

Older court records have also drawn attention during the investigation.

According to reporting by WFTV and ClickOrlando, Banks was arrested in 2021 following domestic-violence allegations that were later dropped.

His parents had previously told investigators that during an argument in 2020, Banks allegedly threatened to burn their house.

Those previous allegations are separate from the current case and do not establish that Banks committed the current offenses.

The investigation isn’t over

The State Fire Marshal’s Office and Seminole County authorities continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire.

Investigators are also working to determine exactly how many dogs were inside the home and whether additional charges should be filed.

For now, authorities have confirmed 15 dead dogs, while at least three survived.

The case is a particularly disturbing example of how an animal-cruelty investigation can expand as investigators continue examining a fire scene.

Banks remains accused of the crimes, and the allegations have not been proven in court.