House Fire Wipes Out Belongings Of Large Family
Author: MT 43 News Staff Reporter
House Fire Wipes Out Belongings of Large Family
MT 43 News Staff Reporter
A structural fire in Tahoe Acres on Front Street in Townsend destroyed the possessions of a family of six on July 3. According to Broadwater Rural Fire Chief Ed Shindoll, the fire started near the door in what was suspected to be electrical. No further investigation is planned. “Fortunately the family was outside the structure when it happened,” he said.
According to neighbors, the fire began with a loud noise at about 8 o’clock, then the trailer burst into flames. Broadwater County Sheriff Nick Rauser, who responded to the call, explained cleanup was turned over to the fire department. Carol Anderson who heads the local Red Cross, arranged for the family to obtain services from the Food Pantry and Helping Hands. Red Cross did assist the family with funds for a motel, she said.
The Joe Thompson family has three small children with a fourth on the way. The family moved to Townsend two years ago from Tennessee in search of work and a place to raise their growing family. They landed in Bozeman first, Elizabeth said, and found work, but nowhere to live. They ended up in Townsend where Joe has started his own landscaping business and Elizabeth works nights at the post office.
Sometimes bad luck follows one after the other. Elizabeth explained her family’s truck also sustained a fire while they were parked in the Walmart parking lot last week.
Dylan Osterhout, a Helena broker realtor, is an owner and member of Tahoe Acres, LLC. He expressed his sympathy for the family: “ It is a sad scenario, but I do appreciate how the community has stepped up to help the family. We are already making plans to replace the trailer and clean up the fire damage.”
A GoFundMe account has been set up by Elizabeth Saretsky. It is under “Help Townsend Family Overcome Fire Tragedy.” They are also contemplating setting up an account at Opportunity Bank here in Townsend.
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Image 1 Caption: A GoFundMe account has been created for the Joe Thompson family who lost their home in Townsend to a fire the day before the 4th of July.
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Image 2 Caption: The home at Tahoe Acres on Front Street was a complete loss when a fire broke out July 3.
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