North Fort Myers Fire crews responded to a blaze that engulfed a home along Santa Cruz Street and claimed the lives of more than a dozen animals, devastating a family who lived there.
According to the North Fort Myers Fire Control District, there were at least two people inside the home, and one person had to be transported to the hospital.
The family said there was only one person in the home at the time of the fire.
Fire officials said 14 cats and three of the four dogs inside died, and multiple birds died.
The family said 12 cats died and at least two birds were saved.
Trenton Chockley, a resident of the home, said, “I got a phone call from the wife. Hey, the house is on fire! The first thing my my service dog, was like my child.” He added, “you know, memories last forever. Material things come and go. It’s the memories. Like I said, it was our dream home.”
Chockley’s service dog was among the three dogs that died in the fire. “My dog is gone. My anxiety is I don’t know how to handle this whole situation now. I don’t know where to go from here,” he said.
Chockley’s wife was hospitalized with a burn injury sustained while trying to save the animals. Chockley said, “I spoke to her on the phone, she apologized. She’s like, “I tried going into the bedroom. I couldn’t see nothing. It was so black. And that’s when I burnt. My hand was on the door, and I had to leave the house.””
The Chockleys, who rescue and train animals, had many birds and cats in their home. Chockley recounted his attempt to save his service dog, Knytmare, who died in his arms. “I am very disappointed, in the way that it was handled. Especially when I pulled up and I beat the fire department here, and I could see where the fire was going, and I said, well, let me go get my service dog. And I get told, you go one step, one more further, you’re going to be arrested,” he said.
The aftermath of the fire left the home with charred walls, broken windows, and an exposed attic, and the smell of smoke lingered in the air. A surviving service dog was seen being comforted by family members on the street. Amaryah Chockley said, “Every surviving animal has already been taken to the vet for treatment,” and added, “We are a family of rescuers, trainers, and caretakers who have dedicated our lives to these animals.”
Trenton Chockley shared his immediate plans, saying, “I’m just going to stay with the kids tonight. And then Red Cross and some other people are start taking care of us tomorrow on some things.”
The fire district attributed the cause of the fire to an electrical fault and noted that two closed doors inside the home helped save several belongings. Christi Fulton, Public Information Officer for the North Fort Myers Fire Control District, explained, “Smoke is what does the most damage. Smoke is what will cause, death. Smoke is what causes the destruction of your home. Smoke spreads fast and, closing that door gives you a little bit more of a barrier.”
The North Fort Myers Fire Control District has dispatched the Red Cross to assist the family in the aftermath of the fire.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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Source: gulfcoastnewsnow
