Contributed Photo
A dog died in this house fire in Seymour on April 9, 2024.
SEYMOUR — The cause of a fire that destroyed a house on Patrick Drive and took the life of a family’s dog last week remains under investigation.
Meanwhile, the community has stepped up, raising more than $7,770 to help the family through a GoFundMe fundraiser.
Seymour Fire Marshal Timm Willis told The Valley Indy Wednesday (April 17) that the cause of the fire at a single-family home at 24 Patrick Dr. is not known.
“It’s undetermined at this point and Deputy Fire Marshal Robert Rockwell is continuing to investigate,” Willis said. “I can tell you there was no wrongdoing, and the fire was not intentionally set.”
Willis said it’s believed the fire, which was reported at about 4 p.m. April 9, originated at the rear of the 2,600-square-foot house. Two propane tanks on the home’s back deck also ignited as a result of the fire.
More than 75 firefighters from Seymour, with mutual aid from neighboring Beacon Falls and Oxford (with Ansonia Fire Department providing station coverage), battled high winds that fanned the flames. They were able to knock out the fire in about 35 minutes, Seymour Fire Chief Chris Edwards said.
Two of the home’s residents, along with four dogs, were home at the time the fire broke out. All except one of the dogs were able to escape without injury. The house is a total loss.
The family received assistance from the Red Cross and are staying with other family members.
The house is owned by Jacqueline Smith, according to town land records. She lives in the house with two adult children and her daughter-in-law.
A family friend, Kristin Merry, of Ansonia, started a GoFundMe to help the family.
“I wanted to help the Smith family get some of their normalcy back after losing all their memories and personal belongings,” Merry told The Valley Indy via an email. “What happened to this family is unimaginable and devastating. Things like this happen that we are not prepared for.”
Since starting the GoFundMe Page last week, more than $7,770 towards a $10,000 goal has been raised.
“It is important for people to know that there is still kindness in this world,” Merry said. “Thank you to the people who donated so far.”
Merry said the Smith family is taking things day by day, with their biggest struggle finding somewhere to stay while they can figure out their next steps.
“The family cannot express their gratitude enough to the community and all the donations and support they are receiving,” Merry said.
