Wellston Family Looks To Rebuild After Devastating Weekend Fire

<p>A family in Wellston is without a home after a devastating fire over the weekend. Luckily no one was home at the time, but the family did arrive to find that everything was destroyed.</p>

Tuesday, December 13th 2016, 3:28 pm

By: News 9


A family lost everything after their home caught fire on Saturday morning.

It started about 3 a.m. on Ridge Road in Wellston. A mother and her two children were away for the weekend. 

“I’m glad that we weren’t in the house that night,” said Rachel Mathews. 

Three of their beloved dogs and one pet turtle did not make it out alive. Rachel said losing them is the hardest part. She said her son, Chance, with special needs, doesn’t fully understand. He’s holding hope that they escaped safely. 

Where’s all the animals at? They not come out yet since the fire?” Chance, 14, asked.

There are two things Chance said he wishes he still had.

“I lost my Thunder Christmas sweater and my grandpa’s ashes,” he said.

Her 12-year-old daughter Jayden saw the damage for the first time on Tuesday.

“I’m sad. I’m scared,” said Jayden.

She glanced at her corner bedroom now charred black, but the only thing on her mind is her dogs. Jayden cried in her mother’s arms.

She describes her dogs, Rex, Liberty and Beau. Her turtle’s name was Taylor.

The family has two dogs that thankfully were not home at the time. Their farm animal lives outside and survived.

Insurance adjusters will visit their home on Wednesday to assess the damage.

Rachel Mathews isn’t sure how much will be covered, but for now she is focusing on getting her children their immediate needs. All their basic items and winter clothes were lost in the fire.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the family. Click here to donate.

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