Family’s Pets, Belongings Lost in Afternoon Blaze

McKENZIE (June 11) — A Wednesday afternoon fire at a rental property on Hamilton Street claimed all of a family’s property, including six pets.

McKenzie Fire & Rescue received a call at 1:38 p.m. reporting smoke from the residence and arrived on the scene three minutes later.

Firefighters were unable to enter until the roof was ventilated to clear the smoke and heat. The fire was then extinguished and the scene was cleared at 3:55 p.m.

Living in the rental home were Michael and Erin Fritz and their two daughters. No one was home at the time of the fire, but the family’s pets, two dogs, three cats and a gecko all perished.

The origin of the fire was determined to be a plastic container placed on a stove eye that had not completely cooled.

Mutual aid was received by the Carroll County Fire Department and the Huntingdon Fire Department. Carroll County Electric Department linemen arrived soon after the firefighters to quickly disconnect power to the property.

Besides their pets, the Fritz family lost all of their belongings in the fire.

An account has been created on gofundme.com named “Help Erin and Michael Rebuild After Fire” where donations can be made.