A Mercer County family lost everything when a fire broke out in their rural Aledo home Monday night. No one was injured at the Rourke residence, according to Aledo Fire Chief Dennis Litwiler. One son was home and escaped unharmed.
The family lost several pets including six German shepherd puppies, a Chihuahua and a cat. Three dogs, including the German shepherd mom and one puppy survived.
“When we arrived on scene the house was fully engulfed,” Litwiler said.
He said firefighters got the call at 5 p.m. Icy road conditions slowed down responders. The two-story farmhouse is located west of Aledo and 2 miles east of Millersburg.
Despite the freezing temperatures, firefighters were able to keep water flowing, Litwiler said.
The American Red Cross was contacted to give assistance to the family, “as they lost everything in the fire,” the chief said.