Vonzell's home catches fire, Pet killed in fire :-( Options

[zilad]

Just saw this online. The part about the dog is particularly sad IMO.

'Idol' Vonzell's home catches fire
Her losses included pet in south Fort Myers

By Rachel Myers
rmyers@news-press.com
Originally posted on May 19, 2007

Even national fame doesn't make you immune to loss, as Vonzell "Baby V" Solomon learned late Thursday.

The local celebrity, best-known for her melodic rise two years ago to third-place finalist on "American Idol," lost a pet and $200,000 worth of belongings in a late-night blaze at her south Fort Myers home.

Solomon discovered the fire at her home, but was not injured, said Christie Knudsen, spokeswoman for the South Trail Fire Department.

"She evacuated the house, as well she should, went across the street to a neighbor's home and called 911," Knudsen said. "It's unclear at this point how much of the home can be rebuilt."

Records show Solomon purchased the home at 6617 Canton St. in January last year for $405,000.

Knudsen described the dog as a "small-breed mutt," and said firefighters tried to locate the puppy, who Solomon had named Minnie Mouse, according to her manager Jim Osburn.

"Vonzell herself is OK, she is coping with her losses," Osburn wrote in a release.

Neighbor Joyce Hlywka said she was awaken in the night by the sounds of yelling and sirens at about 11:30 p.m.

"I was freaking out," Hlywka said. "There were big flames on the side where her bedroom is. It was very scary, just because it's so close and it has been so dry lately. We stood out in the backyard with hoses, but the fire department got here pretty quick."

Firefighters had the blaze under control within 15 minutes.

The singer's father, Larry Goethie, arrived on scene Friday morning to inspect the charred remains of the home.

A joint investigation by South Trail and the State Fire Marshal's Office determined the fire started in the attic area of the house, and was caused by an accidental "electrical malfunction." Knudsen said the damage was too extensive to pinpoint an exact cause.

Knudsen said there would have been more damage if the fire had not eaten its way through the roof of the house, ventilating itself.

Another challenge for firefighters was that there were no hydrants in the area from which to draw water. Firefighters had to wrap 1,800 feet of hose around the block and over to the next street to where the nearest hydrant was located.

"It's the longest hoseline I've ever seen in the seven years I've been here," Knudsen said. "But it would not have affected the outcome because the engine was already equipped with 750 gallons of water."

Hlywka said she was surprised Solomon was even home at the time of the fire, as she is often out of town on promotional tours.

"She's very nice," Hlywka said. "I'm just glad she wasn't hurt."

Alex Gillespie, a Fox publicist in New York for the top-rated show, said the network had no comment.

Osburn said in the release that Solomon wanted to "thank everyone for all your prayers, love and support and would appreciate your continued prayers for Vonzell."

This post has been edited by zilad: May 19th 2007, 2:20 AM

[ab2421]

not the Vonzell news I couldn't wait to hear..


hope she didn't lose anything too precious.

[v-streamer]

poor Vonzell

[zilad]

Well she lost her dog...so I'm sure that was quite precious to her. Belongings, however, can be replaced.

[Rissa543]

At least she is still alive

[DHSdude10]

Aw thats so sad!!

[jsr111092]

Hopefully she's staying positive, and that she has a safe place to live until everything works out!

[hellosaysdrew]

I don't think anyone really realizes how bad the fire really was. Even me...I guess the house is pretty much destroyed...and she lost pretty much everything in it...including her puppy

[tamyra4me1]

[ionlywantu2stay]

My heart goes out to her...awww why her puppy too?

[Trent]

That's so sad, especially the fact that she lost her dog.

[SarahLuvzAI]

Aww.... That's so sad. Poor Vonzell.

[mariami]

Wow, I hope she recovers from this soon It's so sad that she lost her puppy

[Wrestlegirl]

I just heard about this on Inside Edition today. I`m glad she`s okay, but I feel so about the poor puppy. I have a doggy myself and I would be devastated if I lost her. My heart goes out to Vonzell.

[tifferoo]

that's horrible.

[NobodyWins]