COAL VALLEY -
The fire that swept through Jackie and Harry Schnell's Coal Valley house killed the family cat, but everyone else escaped unharmed, and for that, the Schnells are overwhelmingly grateful.
The fire struck Sunday afternoon while Jackie and her husband were outside with their 2 and 3-year old sons.
''Certain things melted and certain things didn't. Our t.v. melted off our wall in the bedroom and my grandmother's bible, was fine on our dresser'', Jackie Schnell recounted Monday afternoon, while trying to salvage what's left in the home on E. 5th Avenue.
''We lost our cat though. She was under our bed, and died from smoke inhalation''.
Schnell says the fire may have started in the kitchen, possibly connected to the electric stove, and it spread fast. She believes the timing of the blaze may have saved their lives, had it started in the middle of the night, the family may not have been able to make it out in time.
The home is a total loss, the Schnell's are staying with relatives.
''We have lots of support. Our neighbors helped us board up the house last night, we couldn't ask for better neighbors. They said it will be about three to four months to rebuild, so we'll spend Christmas with our family. We'll be alright''.
Friends have set up a fund for the family at any Blackhawk State Bank and Trust.
The fire struck Sunday afternoon while Jackie and her husband were outside with their 2 and 3-year old sons.
''Certain things melted and certain things didn't. Our t.v. melted off our wall in the bedroom and my grandmother's bible, was fine on our dresser'', Jackie Schnell recounted Monday afternoon, while trying to salvage what's left in the home on E. 5th Avenue.
''We lost our cat though. She was under our bed, and died from smoke inhalation''.
Schnell says the fire may have started in the kitchen, possibly connected to the electric stove, and it spread fast. She believes the timing of the blaze may have saved their lives, had it started in the middle of the night, the family may not have been able to make it out in time.
The home is a total loss, the Schnell's are staying with relatives.
''We have lots of support. Our neighbors helped us board up the house last night, we couldn't ask for better neighbors. They said it will be about three to four months to rebuild, so we'll spend Christmas with our family. We'll be alright''.
Friends have set up a fund for the family at any Blackhawk State Bank and Trust.
