OWEN HOUSE FIRE

Hello everyone.

My name is Kristi, the sister of Brandi Owen. On Thursday, July 28th, at approximately 2pm, I got a gut-wrenching call from Brandi that her house was on fire. She was in the kitchen while the kids were swimming just outside with Troy Owen. They noticed smoke, and Troy yelled to her that there was a fire outside and to get out. Brandi and the children left in their truck with only swimsuits and no shoes while Troy tried to put out the fire. She ran to the neighbors for help, but they weren't home. Brandi could not find her husband. Finally, she could see the smoke, panicked, and feared for her animals. Brandi and Troy had many animals on the property because they rescued, did trailrides, parades with their wagon and mules, and Christmas rides for the kids. They had three horses, two mules, three dogs, a rescue pig, several rescue raccoons, chickens and six rescue puppies, including one pup that had previously suffered chemical burns to his back. She didn't know it then, but Troy was trying to save all of them. An unknown man stopped, ran into the house and carried their large dog Bear from a back room corner where he was crouched in fear. The puppies were let out of their cage and instantly scattered. The little runt ran under the house where she was later found by a firefighter screaming. The horses and the pig were taken to the back of the property. Someone grabbed the raccoons and the other dogs and they were all led to safety. Every single soul got out alive and physically unharmed. When I arrived Brandi had 9 terrified dogs in her truck. I began grabbing puppies and putting them in my car. They were screaming and vomiting. I could see Troy, my sister, the children, and the animals. They were all safe but the damage had been done and undoubtedly will leave scars for a lifetime.

As I sit here typing this, reliving that moment, I realize that my feelings were nothing compared to what they are feeling. Almost all of their belongings are gone, including travel trailer, their horse trailers, my dads old truck and boat he gave us when he passed away, their wagon, all their horse gear, farm equipment, livestock feed, shed, Troy's tools for work, everthing in their home, and the home itself. They were so proud to have finished paying off their property just two years ago. It's gone. They are the sad story we hear about so often. They are the charity work that Brandi and Troy do for others constantly from auctions, to cook offs, plate sales, bake sales, and rescues.

At the moment we have no idea how the fire started. It began outside and the horse trailer ac unit is the suspected cause. We are impatiently waiting on answers but right now we have none. We are on day three. They are in a hotel decompressiong, spending time together, and likely trying to figure out how they will begin to put their lives back together. The animals are scattered between family, the back of the property, and rescues that raced in to help. We are tremendously grateful at the support from the community, the local police and fire fighters. It could have been worse.

I have no idea what their future will look like but my baby sister, her husband, five year old "Baby Girl" Jae and their animals need help. Yes, bad things happen to good people but it couldn't have happened to a more loving and giving family. Jae starts school in two weeks and they made it out with only their lives and swimsuits.

Please consider helping if you can. It doesn't matter if you only have one dollar, or you can only sign up for our meal calendar, or you have nothing to give but warm wishes. We are truly grateful.