Paris Home Decimated by Fire

PARIS (January 4) — On Wednesday, a Henry County family lost their home following an accident that was perpetuated between a cat and a curtain. At approximately 3:44 p.m., the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to Oaklawn Estates Road in Paris for a structure fire. The home belonged to Samantha Etzel and her family.

In a social media post, Etzel said, “Yesterday we got home from doing Christmas. The girls brought all their stuff upstairs and were playing. Bray and I were cleaning. Our cat was on the window sill and when she jumped out she pushed the curtain into a candle we had placed on the coffee bar.”

The children and animals were able to be evacuated as the homeowners attempted to put the fire out with a fire extinguisher. Unfortunately, the veracity of the flames could not be contained.

Etzel added, “Not in a million years would I think something so small would create so much chaos. And leave us with nothing. We are so heartbroken. I’m beyond grateful that we are safe. The kids are ok… Thank you to everyone who has reached out and helped us. We are truly blessed and grateful.”

According to Radio NWTN, Fire Chief James Martin said upon arrival, firefighters found the home to be fully engulfed in flames.

Mutual aid was received from the Paris and Springville fire departments. Oakland responded with two trucks and five firefighters, Paris responded with two trucks and four firefighters, and Springville responded with one truck and four firefighters.