Fire damages La Vernia family’s home




PASCALLE BIPPERT
Black smoke billows over Country Oaks Drive near La Vernia, as firefighters from five different agencies work to contain a blaze that started in a horse trailer and spread quickly to a travel trailer and home. The residence was saved, but most of the home’s contents suffered smoke and water damage; donations are invited to help the family of Troy and Brandi Owen.

A Meal Train page has been set up to assist a La Vernia family, after their home and other property suffered damage in a July 28 fire.

Alena Berlanga with the Wilson County No Kill Animal Shelter set up the Meal Train page — www.mealtrain.com/dyzw53 — to help Troy and Brandi Owen in the wake of the fire at their home near La Vernia.

“The Owen family has always been there to lend a hand to others in need, so we hope our community can come together and rally around this humble family,” Berlanga said; she also invites monetary donations to help the family replace items lost in the fire. “Thank you for your kindness and prayers.”

The fire last Thursday appears to have started in a horse trailer near the Owen family’s home on Country Oaks Drive west of La Vernia. Family members were swimming when one of their guests, 12-year-old Cooper Whatley of Floresville, noticed the fire.

Wilson County District 1 Fire & Rescue was dis-patched to the blaze off C.R. 319 shortly before 2 p.m. The first fire crews to arrive found a horse trailer with living quarters and a fifth-wheel travel trailer on fire; the blaze had spread quickly to the home of Troy and Brandi Owen.

All the family and their guests were able to escape harm, according to District 1 Fire Chief Chris Thompson. Their pets and other animals also were uninjured.

The excessive heat and size of the fire prompted other agencies to be called to assist. These included District 2 Emergency Services, Wilson County District 3 EMS, ESD 5 Fire & Rescue from Floresville, and crews from Bexar County Emergency Services Districts 11 and 12.

The prolonged triple-digit heat this summer has created extremely dry conditions; the blaze also ignited a grass fire, which damaged a tractor and some outbuildings, Thompson said.

Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the attic and two front rooms of the Owen family’s home. Most of the family’s belongings, however, suffered smoke and water damage. Horses on the property were unharmed, but several hay bales were lost to the fire. Witnesses reported hearing “explosions”; these were caused by ammunition exploding in a gun safe.

Thompson advised that firefighters remained on the scene until almost 11 p.m., putting out hot spots and ensuring the blaze did not flare up again.

The Red Cross was contacted to assist the family, the fire chief said. As of press time Aug. 2, the cause of the blaze remained unknown.

How you can help

Meal support for the Owen family is invited, along with monetary donations, Visa/Mastercard gift cards, and gift cards for Walmart and H-E-B.

Send gift cards or monetary donations to Troy and Brandi Owen, c/o WCNKAS, P.O. Box 1282, La Vernia, TX 78121.