A fire broke out Saturday evening at a Birch Valley home in Levittown, quickly spreading and causing damage to the garage, a Jeep, and home causing the death of one cat and hospitalizing another.
No residents were injured although they were treated for smoke inhalation, officials said.
Two cats were also in the house at the time. One cat was critically injured and as of Monday night was still in the hospital fighting for his life. The other cat, named Loki, sadly died in the fire.
Levittown Fire Company No. 2 was on the scene with assistance from several area fire companies. The fully involved garage fire extended to the house on Buttonwood Lane and happened at approximately 5 p m. on Saturday, June 1.
Video: YouTube
According to a family member, a battery in the garage caught fire and her brother-in-law tried to extinguish it with a fire extinguisher. The battery exploded, with the fire engulfing the garage and soon spreading to the driveway and then the house. As of Monday night, an email from Lower Bucks Source went unanswered from Falls Township Fire Marshal, Rich Dippolito for comment.
According to Levittown Fire Company No. 2, the fire was placed under control within 45 minutes and the fire marshal is investigating the cause of the blaze.
A GoFundMe page was established by two family members to assist with the cat’s medical bills. The cat named Odin remains hospitalized as of Tuesday morning. The fundraising goal is set at $10,000. As of early this morning, a little over $6,000 was raised.
Lower Bucks Source spoke with one of the GoFundMe organizers, Ashley Goldey, the niece of Kim and Tim O’Keefe who lived at the now damaged home..
Goldey said, “the go fund me is for Odin’s medical bill as well as any relief that they may need at this moment that they won’t be able to get for insurance just yet. As in basic essentials, toiletries, clothing, etc. my aunt and uncle were billed the same day of the fire for Odin at it was an initial bill of $6500, I’m sure it’s well above that now.”
Credit: Laughs for Recovery
When asked how can people besides GoFundMe help the family, Goldey responded, “Just pray for my aunts cat Odin at this time. Between losing her fur baby last month, to the home fire losing one, and possibly another if he doesn’t pull through, it will wreck them. The house can and will be repaired, but you can’t replace your real or fur family and thankfully at this time it’s only fur family, but we aren’t sure what his outcome will be at this moment.”
The couple had three cats, last month one passed from old age. Now with a second fur baby dying as a result of the fire, all they have left is Odin, she said.
“It’s amazing to see a community come together to help each other out in times of need. It makes you see that there is still hope in humanity despite all the things we hear about from the news that aren’t so great,” said Goldey.
To donate through GoFundMe, please click here