Fireplace blamed for blaze that destroyed ex-state senator’s home
Vinehout, who just left office last month after 12 years representing a swath of west-central
The sheriff's office received a report at
When emergency units arrived, about a third of the house was up in flames, the news release states.
Kane told authorities the couple had started a fire in the fireplace and that it was still going when they went to bed.
The
After a post on Vinehout's Facebook page reported the news that all family members and farm animals were safe but that a fire had destroyed the house and all of its contents, the family received an outpouring of sympathy and support on social media, with many people asking how they could help.
That prompted
"Kathleen and Doug got out with only the shoes on their feet and the clothes they were wearing," Werthmann wrote in a Facebook post. "While their insurance will eventually help them with a new home in the coming months, they are in need of immediate help with basic necessities such as clothes, shoes, phones, winter jackets, and food."
The fundraiser ended Monday morning after exceeding its stated goal of
"Our family is eternally grateful for all the love and support everyone's shown us these past couple days," the family said in a statement Monday afternoon. "Between the texts, calls, food and clothes from strangers, and donations on the Facebook fundraiser, we couldn't ask for a more resounding response in these troubled times. We're beyond blessed to be a part of this community. Thank you."
"People really stepped up to help," said Werthmann, who was Vinehout's campaign manager for her first state
While Vinehout was a proud Democrat representing the region, Werthmann said it was heartwarming to see supportive comments and donations from people on both sides of the political aisle.
"I think that speaks volumes for how people put political things aside to try to help (in a crisis)," he said, noting that he spoke to Vinehout on Saturday and she was in total shock about the fire.
One example of the bipartisan nature of the support on Facebook came in a comment regarding the fundraiser from Republican state Rep.
"I just heard about this, and I needed to share it," Kulp wrote. "Former Senator
Vinehout was elected to the
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