Members of the Arcanum, Pitsburg and New Madison Fire Departments responded to a house fire call on Nov. 20 in Arcanum.
Occupants of the house included Sinclair Community College student Katrina Baker.
“The fire started behind the stove where there was a shortage,” Baker said. “It traveled up the side of the kitchen and up the wall into my brother’s room and then traveled into my parents room.”
Baker said her brother, 17, was home alone when the fire started. He woke to breathing in smoke instead of air and their dog barking. He put out the fire above the stove and ran upstairs to find a phone to call for help. By then, he realized the fire was much bigger than what he initially thought. He called 911 and unsuccessfully tried to find their other dog. He made it out safely and the fire trucks arrived.
The house is located in the country, so the trucks had to take turns refilling and spraying the house.
“The fire did a lot of damage and what didn’t burn has major smoke damage,” Baker said. “We lost a lot of things, including a dog, two kittens and some turtles. I’m just thankful that all my family members are safe.”
There are 10 members in the family, including Baker, her parents, four sisters and three brothers. Seven of them lived in the house.
The Student Government Association will be accepting donations in the Student Leadership Development Office in Building 8, Room 025.
“We lost about everything, so anything would help,” Baker said. “We especially need kitchen utensils and appliances. We also need school supplies, like book bags, pencils and notebooks. Honestly, just think about the things you use every day. Those are the things we need.”
The family is in need of shoes, socks, underwear, food, dog food, toiletries and clothing. For specific sizes, inquire within SGA.
If anyone wants to help the family with Christmas gift items, they would appreciate gift cards.
“Truly, we don’t need gifts to have a merry Christmas, we just need our family,” Baker said. “Christmas is [not] about the gifts, it’s about gathering around the tree and sharing stories and a good laugh.”
