Crofton Online: Christmas Tragedy
New Home Totally Destroyed, Family Pets Die In Crofton Fire
UPS Driver First on the Scene; Woman Escapes Unharmed

A tragic fire in Crofton today [December 23, 1998] completely destroyed a home on Old Willow Way just off Route 424. Although no people were injured, the family's cat perished in the fire, and the family dog was hit by a fire truck responding to the call for help. The dog died.



Residents provided Crofton Online with the following story:

The family was concerned about their pet dog, due to the sudden drop in temperature to below freezing levels. They put a space heater in the dog house to help keep it warm.

With only the mother at home, somehow the heater caught the dog house on fire. A UPS delivery man saw the flames and alerted the woman, who escaped from the house uninjured. He then grabbed a garden hose in an attempt to put out the flames.

Unfortunately, water in the hose had frozen, preventing its use in fighting the fire. He then called 911.

Meanwhile, the fire spread, bursting a natural gas line. The gas ignited and the fire grew much larger very quickly. A cat trapped inside perished but the dog escaped, only to be run over by a fire truck responding to the call.

More and more fire trucks and police responded to the emergency, causing a huge traffic jam on Route 424 and surrounding streets. The firefighters were unable to save the house, but did succeed in preventing its spread to surrounding homes by wetting them down thoroughly.

By the end of the day, the only thing remaining standing was the exterior shell of the family's two car garage.



As evening set in, snow began to fall on the still smoldering ashes, creating a surreal mixture of winter beauty and tragic destruction.



The family had moved into their brand new home less than one year ago.

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