Weekend Fire Destroys Family Home

A weekend fire in Zanesville has left one family with nearly nothing.

Former Muskingum Township Firefighter Conard Newell said his 6627 Friendly Hills Road trailer-home went up in flames shortly after 8:00 Saturday night. The fire destroyed nearly everything, including Christmas presents, the family’s two pet cats and pictures of his wife- who died only seven years ago. In addition, Newell said he doesn’t have insurance.

"Things got a little bit hard and we had to do some cutting back on different things and maybe I should have never done that but I kind of let that go to save a little money," expressed Newell. 

Newell said the fire was electrical-based. It began near the kitchen and quickly engulfed the entire home. He is now just thankful no one was hurt.

"It’s a blessing that that is the only thing we lost and that nobody was home and got trapped in here," said Newell. ‘"The way they say it went, it went from the the kitchen out toward the bedroom and shot across the ceiling and out over the deck and that would have trapped them because them are the only two doors. And the way they say it went, it went real quick."

Newell lived in the trailer-home with his fiancé and her 13 year-old son. They are now temporarily staying with family. The Red Cross has stepped in to help provide clothing and food.