Showalter family: Farm home will be rebuilt

Feb. 10--The smoldering house fire last Friday afternoon on the property of Showalter Farms in Benton Township may have originated in the basement of the residence, the homeowner said Wednesday.

Sheila Showalter said she arrived at her home, 69417 U.S. 33, last Friday and saw smoke but no flames. She ran inside and screamed for the family dog, a 6-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever named Bernie. By that time, Showalter said her brother-in-law arrived and also attempted to get the dog out of the burning home.

Benton Township firefighters were dispatched to the scene after 3 p.m., where besides Bernie, no one else was trapped inside.

"We broke the front glass door open, but (Bernie) he wasn't in his normal spot," Showalter said.

Firefighters were eventually able to locate Bernie and brought him out of the home. Showalter said he was too overcome by the thick smoke and didn't survive.

"We buried him on the farm where he absolutely loved to be," Showalter said. "He was such a beautiful dog, incredibly smart and loved by all."

The home was reduced to a pile of rubble, as firefighters struggled with cold and windy conditions. Dispatchers said the fire was contained around 7:30 p.m. after as many as 10 fire agencies from Goshen to Syracuse assisted Benton Township firefighters in fighting the blaze.

Showalter said the family does expect to rebuild on the property, and that Showalter Farms will continue to operate as normal.

"Steve, Kegan, and I are staying nearby and the outpouring of offers to help, prayers and donations have been greatly appreciated," Showalter said.

Showalter said the family is working with insurance and fire professionals. An official cause of how the fire started hasn't been released.

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