Family loses 'everything' in rural Huron County fire
By David Jacobs
An assistance effort is underway to help a Huron County family who lost everything in a structure fire that destroyed their home near New London on Tuesday night.
“One of the Firelands EMS family tragically lost everything in a house fire last night,” Firelands Ambulance Service said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.
Family pets were lost in the blaze. The fire’s cause is not immediately known. No persons were hurt.
WMFD-TV reports that it was a family's log cabin in the Olena area. Olena, an unincorporated Huron County village, is about 10 miles northwest of New London.
Valley Chevrolet of Wellington is among those leading relief efforts.
“We are calling on our community for help today,” the dealership said in a Facebook post on Wednesday. “Last night, a member [of] our Valley family suffered a devastating tragedy. CJ Swander of Valley Chevrolet and his wife Erin lost their home to a fire. They lost several family pets and irreplaceable items of great importance. The Swander family is left with nothing.”
A GoFundMe assistance effort is underway
Valley Chevrolet, at 46767 State Route 18 in Wellington, will serve as a collection site for resources, the dealership’s announcement said. “We are collecting cash and gift cards for the family – gift cards for Walmart will be most helpful, and/or any restaurants in the Norwalk area so that the family can eat.”
“The only material goods requested is “sweet feed” for goats – generic brand is fine,” the dealership's post detailed.
Separately, a meal train was being established.
Mr. Swander posted photos of the fire scene to social media the night of the blaze. “Our house is gone,” he wrote.
Later, Mr. Swander wrote: “My brother in law lost everything as he was living with us as well. His cats, hunting gear, clothing, gaming setup, etc all of it including his military uniform.”
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