Family displaced by fire, 12 pets die

Thursday, February 2, 2023 - 18:50

— Photo from Google Street View

“The residence sustained significant damage,” said Bethlehem Police of 15 Hidden Hollow Road, which caught fire on Feb. 1.

BETHLEHEM — While the family that lived at 15 Hidden Hollow Road was not home on Wednesday when the house caught fire, their pets were.

“Once the fire was extinguished it was learned that 6 dogs, 4 cats, and 2 ferrets had been inside the residence and succumbed to fire,” the Bethlehem Police said in a Feb. 1 release.

The department responded to the fire just before 1 p.m. along with multiple fire departments from Bethlehem as well as Albany.

Bethlehem Police fire inspectors on the scene said the fire does not appear suspicious.

According to town assessment rolls, the mid-century single-family home had a full-market value of $161,628. The home has a brick first floor and shingled second floor with a dormer.

“The residence sustained significant damage causing the family to be displaced,” police reported, “and the Red Cross was contacted to assist the family.”

Immediate emergency aid was provided to four people after the Wednesday afternoon fire, according to a Feb. 2 release from the Northeastern New York Chapter of the American Red Cross.

The Red Cross provided financial assistance for necessities such as shelter, food, and clothing to two adults and two children, ages 13 and 17, the release said, and would remain available to help them in the coming days “as they navigate the road to recovery.”

A Go Fund Me drive has been set up to help the family: bit.ly/3ju56aL.

— Melissa Hale-Spencer

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