Two family pets bore the brunt of a house fire that gutted a rental home in north Winfield Wednesday evening.
A dog was revived with an oxygen mask at the scene after being removed from the home at 321 N. Houston. Another dog ? a pug ? did not escape the fire and its remains were found behind a computer desk on the first floor, according to a reporter at the scene.
The home was being rented by Robert Buck and his wife, Lydia Buck, who were not home at the time of the fire. No significant human injuries were reported.
Cowley County records show the home is owned by John J. Camp and Susan E. Camp. It was valued at $37,600.
Around 6 p.m., firefighters responded to the report of a home on fire and arrived to smoke and flames coming from the home. Several area fire departments provided aid at the scene. Initially it was unclear if anyone was home at the time of the fire.
Alan Stoll, the fire department’s assistant chief and marshal, could be seen reviving one of the family’s dogs with an oxygen mask. The animal seemed to recover and took some water.
Family and friends plan to establish a fund for donations to benefit the Bucks.
Lydia Buck told a KSOK reporter that she and her husband had lived in the home nearly two years. She said the home was aging and had many problems that needed fixed.
"It’s an old house," she said.
Lydia Buck is an employee of Super 8 Motel in Winfield and said her boss had offered her a place to stay following the fire.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
KSOK’s Shawn Wheat provided information for this report.
