Mount Vernon Home Destroyed By Fire

Mount Vernon, WA – A Mount Vernon Family of four lost their home and their beloved pet in a fire on March 5th, 2019.

According to a City of Mount Vernon Press Release from Peter Donovan, the  Mount Vernon Fire Department was dispatched to an “Automatic Fire Alarm” at a residence in the 2000 block of Sandalwood Street at 10:13 a.m.

Fire Crews arrived on scene in less than five minutes and found heavy smoke and flames coming from the backside of the house. Firefighters were able to make contact with the home owner shortly after arriving and confirmed that no one was inside the home, expect the family pet, a black lab named Anna.

The Incident Commander quickly called for a second alarm.  Skagit County 9-1-1 Dispatchers requested mutual aid Fire crews from the City of Burlington Fire Department, Skagit County Fire District 3 and Skagit County Fire District 2, who all  responded to the scene to assist Mount Vernon Fire Crews.

As fire crews on the rear side of the house quickly extinguished the fire that was spreading from the back of the house, a crew made entry into the front of the home in an attempt to find and rescue the family’s dog. The dog was quickly located and once the dog was brought out of the house, resuscitation efforts were made; however the dog succumbed to smoke inhalation injuries, and did not survive.

Firefighters were able to bring the house fire under control approximately 40 minutes after the initial alarm was received.

No one was home at the time of the fire, and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation. The 1,300 square foot home will most likely be a total loss as a result of the fire and smoke damage estimated at $250,000. The house fire has displaced the family of four, and they are currently being assisted by the Red Cross.

“Events like this fire today serve as a reminder of some efforts each of us can make to help prevent the spread of smoke and fire in our homes,” Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Harris said. “Please remember to close doors inside your home. Remember that open doors and windows can allow oxygen to feed a fire. And closing doors to your bedroom can save your life when sleeping at night, and help prevent the spread of smoke and flames.”

SkagitBreaking.com reached out to the Reneau family to see if they had any immediate needs to help them through this difficult time. Below is a list of basic needs and a GoFundMe.com account that has been set up to assist the family.

The Reneau family is in need of toiletries, basic food items that can be prepared in a hotel room, snacks, bottled water, juice.

Art supplies and children’s books, clothing for the boys.

5-year Old Boy:
Shirts 5T/XS
socks, underwear
Shoes 11

9-Year Old Boy:
Pants 12
Shirts 11/12 large
Shoes 4
Socks, underwear

Donations can be dropped off at Best Western 300 W College Way in the front office.  Cash donations, gift cards to purchase other necessities are welcome. They will only be at Best Western through Saturday morning, March 9th, 2019.

If you would like to make a donation to the families GoFundMe account, please click here