A Canton, Ohio, home that had stood for over five generations was engulfed by a fire that left a woman hospitalized and a family dog dead. The blaze, which broke out in the 600 block of Union Avenue SW around 1 p.m. yesterday, was met by firefighters contending with heavy flames, according to reports from FOX8.
At the time firefighters arrived, they encountered two women and a man making their escape from the burning structure, leaving behind one woman who was transported to Aultman Hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening. In the fire, residents managed to save two birds and a dog; however, a family dog named Daisy did not survive, as detailed in coverage by Cleveland19.
As stated by officials, the fire that caused the "extensive" damage exceeding $50,000 has left the house likely to be demolished. Firefighters also rescued another dog on-site, treating it for burns and smoke inhalation; the animal was then transported to a veterinarian by a family friend. According to WKYC, this information was corroborated by the department's release.
Residents of the neighborhood, watching the home's destruction unfold, included Amanda Aguilar-Reyes, who lives across the street. "It happened so fast. It’s really hard. I just wanted to make sure they’re alive and okay. Thank goodness they were all okay," she told Cleveland19. Found alive after the firefighters routed the flames, two cats added to the count of rescued pets. The assistance of The Red Cross is now at hand, working with those affected by the fire.
While the family grapples with the immediate aftermath, supporters have launched a GoFundMe campaign to aid in their recovery, given the loss of all their belongings and home's contents. The origins of the fire are currently under investigation, but members of the family suspect a candle was the cause, as reported by Cleveland19. Firefighter injuries were not reported in the incident.
