ST. MATTHEWS – Firefighters routinely observe first-hand the
devastation experienced by victims of fires. This week, a St.
Matthews firefighter became one of those devastated victims.

Jeffery F. Jeff Price, a full-time fireman with the St.
Matthews Fire Department, and his wife, Cheryl H. Price, on Monday
lost their home on Copperhead Road in Calhoun County, several of
their beloved pets and nearly all of their belongings to a fire
that was apparently ignited by sparks from their fireplace
chimney.

Fire departments responding to fight the blaze included St.
Matthews, Belleville and Fort Motte.

Mrs. Price, who works at the Calhoun County Animal Shelter, said
she was awakened by the barking of one of her four Boston terriers
at around 11:30 pm on Jan 2. She said she saw flames through the
window of her bedroom and woke up her husband, who attempted to
extinguish the fire with the garden hose but it was frozen.

They were able to save four of their dogs but three were lost,
along with two birds and two sugar gliders – small, gliding possums
originating from the marsupial family.

I lost my babies, Mrs. Price said.

One of the dogs, dachshund mix Skeets, was hiding in her bed
when the roof collapsed on top of it. Skeets was found after the
fire was extinguished. Tammy Carson, St. Matthews town clerk,
administered CPR to the dog. Skeets was in critical condition at a
local veterinarians office, Mrs. Price said.

The Prices are staying with Cheryls mother, who lives nearby,
while they sort through the ruins and try to plan for the
future.

Donations for the couple can be dropped off at the St. Matthews
Town Hall, Carson said.

 Contact the writer: 803-874-3276.

Tags : Pets
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