PETS PERISH IN PUNTA GORDA HOUSE FIRE

AUTHORITIES SAY A FIRE THAT CONSUMED A HOME IN RURAL PUNTA GORDA TUESDAY NIGHT KILLED SEVERAL FAMILY PETS.  WE FIRST REPORTED THE BLAZE ON OIL WELL ROAD NOT FAR FROM THE CHARLOTTE CORRECTION FACILITY YESTERDAY AND TOLD YOU THE FAMILY GOT OUT WITHOUT ANY INJURIES, BUT OFFICIALS SAY SEVERAL PETS, INCLUDING DOGS, CATS, AND BIRDS DID PERISHED.  THE FIRE STARTED ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE TWO STORY HOME AND QUICKLY SPREAD TO THE FIRST FLOOR.  AUTHORITIES HAD TO DRAFT WATER FROM A NEARBY POND AND ERECTED A DUMP TANK WITH WATER FROM A HYDRANT ABOUT A MILE AWAY NEAR THE PRISON.  IT TOOK FIREFIGHTERS FROM SIX MUNICIPALITIES ABOUT AN HOUR AND FIFTEEN MINUTES TO BRING THE BLAZE UNDER CONTROL.  THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL IS STILL INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE, BUT OFFICIALS SAY IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE SUSPICIOUS.  THE RED CROSS IS ASSISTING THE FAMILY WITH HOUSING AS THE HOME IS A TOTAL LOSS.