A Phoenix family is grappling with the aftermath of a disastrous Fourth of July fire that destroyed their home and resulted in the loss of their pets. Sabrina Simmert, the mother of the family, is facing the harsh reality of rebuilding her life after the blaze consumed the rental home she shared with her children and fiancé. "It's just unbearable," Simmert said following the tragic event. Tragically, this incident marked the second fire on the same date, with the previous one occurring in 2020 — an eerie repetition of loss, according to AZFamily.
The fire, which broke out around 9:40 p.m. on July 4th, started in the grass and spread to three homes, as reported by the Phoenix Fire Department. Simmert and her family were not home at the time of firefight, instead, they were at a friend's pool party celebrating Independence Day. The blaze claimed the family's trailer and car as well, leaving behind only rubble. Among the irreplaceable losses were photo albums, an uncle's urn, and ten beloved pets. "Three two-and-a-half-year-old tortoises all those boiled in their cages and then due to smoke suffocation, we lost a five month old husky and my daughter’s cat that she’s had her entire life who was nine," Simmert told AZFamily.
Fireworks remnants found nearby have led Simmert and authorities to speculate that the conflagration could have been caused by children playing with fireworks. "Kids are five feet behind this fence shooting roman candles at each other, something that’s completely illegal. And smaller, younger, irresponsible children shouldn't even be lighting off especially into somebody’s yard," said Simmert, expressing her anger particularly for the death of her animals. As of now, a fire investigator is still working to ascertain the cause. Meanwhile, the community has come together to support the family through a fundraiser helping them to piece their lives back together. "Now it’s literally starting all from scratch," Simmert acknowledged in a somber tone, prioritizing the replacement of her children's items first, according to AZFamily.
The family's fundraiser details further the extent of their loss. "Three of our dogs and our 30-year-old sulcata tortoise survived the fire," the homeowner stated on the fundraiser page. "Our 5-month-old puppy, two cats, 2 parrots, 3 baby sulcatas, and 2 parakeets did not survive." Those wishing to contribute to the family's recovery can donate through the provided fundraising link. The story continues to evolve as more information becomes available and the precise cause of the fire has yet to be officially determined, according to 12 News.
