WINNEBAGO COUNTY (WIFR) – As the temperatures go down, the amount of time people use their furnaces goes up. But one local fire department says not heating your home properly could also result in a fire.
That happened on January 7 in Roscoe.
“It’s been really hard. I’ve been breaking down a lot. Especially after losing Asha and Odin,” said Della Watkins.
Those are the names of the two dogs Della Watkins lost when a fire broke out in her Roscoe home in early January. She thought it was arson, but an investigator told her Wednesday it might have been an electrical fire.
“I still can’t wrap my head around that. Losing my entire life in that house,” said Watkins. “All the pictures from my mom and dad and brothers who are gone that I can never replace.”
Watkins said it’s been a difficult last five years. She lost all of her brothers and is dealing with health problems.
“A lot of people asked what they can do to help. I hate being a burden on people,” said Watkins.
Despite this unimaginable tragedy, Watkins said the community support has been overwhelming.
“If it wasn’t for everyone’s kind words and messages people have sent, I’d be in worse shape than I am now,” said Watkins.
She’s also getting by with her 11-year-old dog Koa who’s also hurting because Asha was one of his buddies.
“He should be a therapy dog, but he’s too old to be a therapy dog, so he’ll have to be mine,” said Watkins.
Anyone interested in helping Watkins out can donate to her GoFundMe.
Harlem Roscoe Fire Chief John Bergeron says to prevent an emergency, get your furnace inspected before winter, get the filters replaced and have any space heaters at least three feet from something it could catch on fire.
“Use caution when using portable heaters indoors, especially on the outside if you have pets and use heaters to keep them warm,” said Chief Bergeron. “Use caution with anything that could come into contact with anything around it.”
Chief Bergeron said most of the fires his department has responded to in previous winters come from incorrect usage of space heaters. He adds to avoid extension cords and power strips if you can, but if you can’t, make sure they can handle the appliance you want to plug in.
Additional tips can be found here.
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