The Anderson Creek Fire Department responded to the blaze around 8 a.m. on Appaloosa Drive at Hwy 210. Authorities say the living room of the home was set on fire.
Officials say it is a death investigation, but sources tell ABC11 Eyewitness News that it is a murder and arson investigation.
Investigators aren't saying how the man or the animal died, but ABC11 has learned the man was shot multiple times with a large caliber weapon.
Paramedics removed the body of the middle aged man from the home Thursday afternoon.
Investigators have not officially released the man's identity, but friends and neighbors say they know who it is.
"I was in shock, I mean I've known him since high school he was a good friend of mine," friend Daniel Robertson said.
Neighbor Dorothy Hayes says she didn't need to see all the police and firemen to know that something bad happened to her next door neighbor. She says she first heard a commotion around 5:30 a.m.
"It hit the pit of my stomach that something had happened," she said. "And I heard like two loud bangs and my dog growled and jumped and ran into the living room, it scared me."
A truck belonging to the home's owner was found abandoned about two and a half miles away from the home and neighbors say the owner hasn't been seen since last night.
Authorities haven't release a motive, but sources say detectives do have a suspect they are searching for.
The Harnett County Sheriff's Office is currently investigating.
Anyone with information should contact detectives at (910) 893-9111.
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