House Fire Leaves One Homeless, Claims Pet’s Life; Second Fire Hours Later Destroys Home

January 31, 2011

A Sunday night blaze left one person homeless and claimed the life of their pet. Firefighters managed to save a portion of the house Sunday night, but the house was destroyed by fire in a reflash early Monday morning.

An adult occupant was not home at the time of the fire about 8:20 p.m. Sunday in the 900 block of Welka Road, just east of Flomaton. Firefighters reported flames shooting from the single story wood frame home when they arrived. They were able to quickly bring the blaze under control, but not before it claimed the life of a cat.

According to Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton, firefighters believe the fire started in a front bedroom of the home, but the exact cause was not immediately known. The home suffered heavy smoke and fire damage.

Firefighters responded to the home a second time, about 12:35 a.m. Monday, for a reflash. The house was reported to be fully engulfed the second time as firefighters arrived on scene. Firefighters remained on scene throughout the morning, declaring the fire to be out about 7:30 a.m.

The exact cause of the both fires is under investigation.

The Flomaton, Pineview Barnett Crossroads, Friendship and Lambeth fire departments responded to the blaze, along with the Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Jay Fire Department, Escambia County (Fla.) EMS and the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office.

Pictured top: Fire heavily damaged the interior of this home on Welka Road just east of Flomaton Sunday night. Pictured left inset: Firefighters work inside the front bedroom of the home where the fire is believed to have started. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

16 Responses to “House Fire Leaves One Homeless, Claims Pet’s Life; Second Fire Hours Later Destroys Home”

  1. Greatfull on February 2nd, 2011 7:06 pm

    Thank God you and your family are all ok, so sorry to hear about your pet I know they are like family as well.I read on an post for you to contact the Red Cross, I hope you have already if not please do so, speak with a man named Chris he is a real nice man and will do what ever he can to help you. I have a friend that had a fire last year and I went into the office with her, this guy was super with her and later on when she found another house she went back to see him and he was able to contact other agencies to help get all her deposits for the new place, he was a blessing for my friend and her family.

  2. did you know on February 2nd, 2011 9:47 am

    my sweet little tigger was 8 years old. melanie

  3. Melanie on February 2nd, 2011 8:17 am

    Sorry 2 hear about the house fire on Sunday it was very nice of all the firefighters 2 come and help out. and how old was that sweet little cat? and how old was the cat?

  4. miranda on January 31st, 2011 10:16 pm

    people that think this fire is suspicious need to worry about themselves and their families.leave your comments to yourself.these poor peple have lost everything they own and dont need any more crap on their plate than they already have.my brother and aunts house burnt down about 6mts ago and if it were not for the grace of god ad kind peolple in flomaton they would still be homeless with a 1yr ol baby.familyi hope everything works out for the best for you

  5. did you know on January 31st, 2011 12:13 pm

    Thank you to everyone who has come to our aid. my children and i are forever grateful. i appreciate all the prayers being sent up. keep us in your thoughts and prayers. thanks, and once again the people who responded to the fire were fantastic and very caring people. god bless you all, Melanie

  6. AL on January 31st, 2011 11:55 am

    I’m so sorry for your loss of the home and the family pet – heartbreaking. VERY glad everyone is ok. Touched that the ECSO / FD helped bury the cat – very thoughtful.

  7. tara on January 31st, 2011 10:22 am

    I am so glad to hear the family is alright. And yes, I have been worried and praying. I know we had to sell this house to them, but this was a beautiful house. We have often missed it. I know they are going to miss it also. Im just so thankful everyone was alright.

  8. tara on January 31st, 2011 10:14 am

    I lived there and there was a lot of old wood that this house was made of. The front den walls were lined with the old type of paneling, the tongue and groove thick wood. Plus, under the floors were what looked to be lightered wood. Again, this house was aged.

  9. it's me on January 31st, 2011 9:12 am

    To the family who lost everything my prayers are with you, and the community is with you. I’m sure we have a few good citizens here is excsmbia county that will try and help. Can you post on here how we can help you and your family. I would love to help your family within my means.

  10. Mrs.Goodie on January 31st, 2011 7:57 am

    To the home owner.I know you and i will out of respect for your family not post your names.I talked to your Mom and i told her to let us know what we can do.You have friends,and we are ready to help.Don’t worry about what folks say.Just be there for the kids they will need you now.please let us know when you find out anything from the Red Cross,so we know what to do.

  11. Did You Know on January 31st, 2011 7:51 am

    I do want to thank all of the sherriffs dept. and all of the fire departments that responded. you went above and beyond and they even helped my neighbor bury my cat. thanks so much. Melanie

  12. nudo on January 31st, 2011 7:43 am

    I’m not saying anything negative to this incident but I have never seen or heard of this many homes and mobile homes in and around our area that is burning down. There’s one or two a week on this site Literally. The last year or so its every week. I guess we will all see your insurance rates going up.

  13. Did You Know on January 31st, 2011 7:36 am

    thank you tara. the kids and i are fine. keep us in your prayers. Melanie

  14. Did You Know on January 31st, 2011 7:34 am

    my children and i are without a home to live in and the family cat died in the fire. i was at work and by the grace of god my children were at my mothers because i work nights and dont leave my kids who are 14 and 12 home alone. my children lost everything. we saved as much as possible after the first call, came to my moms and got a call saying my house was totally gone. god is watching over me and mine. and we will get through this.

  15. SmellsSomethingFishy! on January 31st, 2011 12:45 am

    The FD’s just got paged out again, the house is on fire AGAIN and they’re saying it’s fully involved…. and I know they said Southern Pine either cut the power supply &/or pulled the meter!! Sounds like someone’s up to no good!?

  16. tara on January 30th, 2011 10:46 pm

    We used to live there. It was a nice house. I am so sorry to hear this bad news. I hope the person can manage. Prayers sent.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News