Loudendale Family Loses Home, Cars and Two Pets in Saturday Morning Fire

It was supposed to be an ordinary Saturday morning in Loudendale. Instead, a family on Cecil Drive watched their home burn, and by the time the smoke cleared, nearly everything they owned was gone.

The fire broke out around 7 a.m. Saturday in the 100 block of Cecil Drive, in the Loudendale community of Kanawha County. According to the chief of the Loudendale Volunteer Fire Department, the house is a total loss.

Two people made it out

There is one piece of good news to hold onto: the two people who were inside the home got out safely, the fire chief said.

But the loss is heavy. Two family pets died in the fire, and the chief said everything inside the home was destroyed, including the family's cars. For anyone who has ever had a dog or cat curled up at the foot of the bed, that part of the story hurts the most.

Neighbors answered the call

The Loudendale Volunteer Fire Department responded with help from the Davis Creek and Malden volunteer fire departments. The American Red Cross was also called to help the family.

Officials said the cause of the fire could not be determined because of the extensive damage.

How West Virginians show up

This is the part where our state shines. When a family loses everything, West Virginians don't wait to be asked twice. If you're in the Loudendale, Davis Creek or Malden area and want to help, keep an eye on your local volunteer fire department and the Red Cross for any word on how the family can best be supported.

And while we're thinking about it, this is a good weekend to check the batteries in your smoke detectors and talk with your family about a way out in an emergency. Those few minutes can make all the difference.

Our hearts are with this family tonight, and our thanks go to the volunteer firefighters who came running on a Saturday morning.