SV family loses three pets in house fire

Posted 9/22/21

SPRING VALLEY – A Spring Valley family lost their beloved Saint Bernard and two cats in a house fire on Thursday, Sept. 9. The cause of the fire is undetermined and still being investigated at this …

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SV family loses three pets in house fire

Posted

SPRING VALLEY – A Spring Valley family lost their beloved Saint Bernard and two cats in a house fire on Thursday, Sept. 9. The cause of the fire is undetermined and still being investigated at this time.

The family was not home when the fire occurred, resident Bethany Smith said.

“Our situation was quite unique,” Smith said. “We sold the house the day before the fire but were living there until we bought our new home after the fire, so timing of it all was incredibly difficult.”

No one was injured, but the family did lose their pet Saint Bernard, Paisley, and two cats, Jingles and Dizmo. The family of four had just sold their home the previous day and were in the process of moving. Her friend and coworker, Tina Papineau, had purchased the home. “Pierce County Veterinary clinic took care of our dog and two cats that passed,” Smith said. “We want to also thank the sheriff that attempted to revive our beautiful Saint Bernard.”

According to the Spring Valley Fire Department Facebook page, many fire departments arrived on scene to help put out the fire at W312 Central Ave. Units included Elmwood Fire and EMS, United Fire, Baldwin EMS, Spring Valley EMS, Ellsworth Fire, River Falls Fire, Roberts Fire, Colfax Fire, and Pierce County Dispatch.

The community has rallied around the family and is showing continuous support. A Facebook post on the Spring Valley community page included more than 60 comments all offering support and condolences to the family.

“We thank all of the fire departments, neighbors, friends and community members,” she said. “Everyone has been so wonderful.”

Smith also expressed the difficulty of the adjustments coming with moving and experiencing the traumatic event all at once.

“We are thankful we have a home and are sad for our friends that bought the house that burned,” Smith said. “Thankfully we all have a roof over our heads and can get things fixed up again.”

The fire was contained to the kitchen, but a lot of smoke and water damage occurred, Smith said. “I believe there will be an extensive remodel but the structure is good,” she said.

The family does not currently have any requests for equipment and clothing lost or any form of fundraiser but they do give gratitude for the support.

“We don’t have anything planned; we are slowly recovering and getting things we need,” she said.