FARMERSBURG, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)– On Oct. 17, Leah and Aaron Shattucks’ home caught on fire while no one was there with their pets locked inside.
Leah Shattuck said when she got a frantic call from her neighbors about their home, all she could think about was them.”
The main part was just the dogs, knowing that we couldn’t do anything. With us being two and a half hours away, it was pretty hard. All I could do was talk to people.”
Thunderbird Fire Department responded to the scene. But due to excessive flames and collapsing roof, they weren’t able to rescue the Shattucks’ 3 dogs and cat.
“When we arrived on scene… The fire was already into the roof. As we were catching the hydrant, part of the roof collapsed. We then took defensive measures and we couldn’t send anyone into anything that was collapsing,” said Fire Chief John Quilliam.
Shattuck said she wishes she could’ve prepared for this kind of situation like having an escape route for her pets.
“There’s no way you can prepare for this honestly. But just make sure you have a safe, that your insurance is paid and try to have an escape route for your animals,” she said.
Chief Quilliam said the best way to prepare for these situations is developing a solid plan that everyone can keep up with.
“Check your smoke detectors on a monthly basis. Make sure that you have plans of egress. How can I get out of this room if it were to ever catch on fire? You should always have two ways to exit the room and have a meeting place so that we can know that everyone is out. ”
Fire marshals ruled the cause of that fire as undetermined due to excessive damage.
