NORTH HUNTINGDON, Pa. —
A fire this week destroyed a family home in North Huntingdon, leaving Russell and AnnaJean Buckholz, along with their three children, homeless as they also navigate AnnaJean’s cancer diagnosis and upcoming treatment.
Sky 4 flew over the scene of the large house fire on Broadway Street Tuesday afternoon.
Russell’s sister, Christine Baverso, said AnnaJean was home at the time of the fire and managed to escape with some of their pets.
“They have Lucy, their little dog, and they had four cats. Two are alive, one they found deceased, and one is unaccounted for,” Baverso said.
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The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The only items recovered from the home were a Nintendo Switch game, a high school diploma, and memory bears honoring other loved ones.
“There’s no floors in some of the rooms, and the ceiling has been bursted through because, to stop the fire, it really impacted the kitchen and the bathroom. And then my nephew’s room that’s away at college, and then upstairs, everything is just soot-covered, water-damaged and fire-damaged,” Baverso said.
The timing of the fire has added to the family’s challenges, as AnnaJean is preparing to begin aggressive radiation and immunotherapy for newly diagnosed liver cancer and an autoimmune liver disease.
“The little ones won’t be allowed to be around her for seven to 10 days because of the radiation level,” Baverso said.
The family is currently staying in a hotel. Baverso started a fundraiser that has raised more than $27,000, and her home is filled with donations.
Help Rebuild After Fire & Battle Cancer – Fundraiser by Christine Baverso on *spotfund
She said the family’s most-needed items now are men’s clothes and shoes for Russell.
“We thank you from the bottoms of our heart. I really can’t put into words what this means because we are just all flabbergasted,” Baverso said.
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