A fire that caused significant damage to a Fenton-area home forced a family of four out of their house Friday (Nov. 18), but two family pets – a pig and a cat – survived.
Firefighters from the Saline Valley Fire Protection District received a call at 10:04 a.m. about a porch that was on fire at 199 Stillwater Woods Drive, but the dispatcher at Jefferson County 911 told firefighters who were en route to the scene that the dispatch center fielded multiple calls that the fire had spread to the house, Deputy Chief Joseph LaPlant said.
When they arrived, firefighters found “heavy fire in the structure,” he said.
Strong winds fueled the flames, he said.
“The wind was a factor. That is why it spread so quickly,” LaPlant said.
No one from the family of two adults and two children was home at the time of the fire.
A neighbor who saw the house ablaze, however, knew there were pets in the house. LaPlant said the neighbor broke out a back window trying to get the animals to come to him.
Firefighters were able to get the fire under control in about 40 minutes.
“They got a good knock on it, and brought it under control rather quickly,” LaPlant said.
The family’s pet pig, which is about the size of a small dog and weighs about 20 pounds, was found but was suffering from smoke inhalation, he said.
“He wasn’t doing too well, but we gave him some oxygen and he came around,” LaPlant said.
Firefighters could not find the cat, but after the fire had been put out and firefighters were taking the homeowners on a walk through the building, they looked in an area of the basement the cat was known to frequent and found it alive and well, LaPlant said.
“That was a pretty special moment,” he said.
The front of the single-family home, however, was significantly damaged along with the attic space. Because of the damage, fire district officials revoked the occupancy permit until repairs can be made, LaPlant said.
The American Red Cross was called to help the family with emergency needs.
The cause of the fire, which began outside the building, had not been determined, LaPlant said today.
Fenton, High Ridge and Rock Community fire protection districts assisted on the call.