Tragedy struck two families in Gold River when the duplex they were living in caught fire today.
Dale Wilson woke to his doorbell ringing at 6 a.m. When he opened the door his porch was entirely engulfed in flames, but there was no one nearby the home.
He quickly woke his wife Barb and their two children, ages 14 and 10, and escaped the blaze. If it hadn’t been for the doorbell ringing, things may have turned out very differently for the residents as the smoke detectors inside the home did not go off.
It is suspected that faulty electrics may have been the cause of the fire. The home and its contents were destroyed. Family pets, including a Shizsu named Sammy and a cat named Baby, as well as a turtle, many salt water and fresh water fish, a bunny and chinchilla perished in the blaze, said Barb’s granddaughter Heather Johnson.
Next door in the adjoining home was Francis and Janelle Jack and their two sons, a five year old and a month-old baby. They too lost everything in the blaze.
All are staying with relatives in the Gold River area.
Donations of goods and money are being accepted at the local Fields store. And today at 4:30 p.m. the store will open its doors to allow the families to shop to replace Christmas presents.
