A photo taken Friday behind the house. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Tragic Events

Prince Albert family suffers significant loss after early morning house fire

May 7, 2021 | 5:00 PM

Support is pouring in for a Prince Albert family, following a house fire early Thursday morning in the city’s Midtown neighbourhood.

Within less than 24 hours, a gofundme campaign has raised over $2,000.

The house is located in the 500 block of 12th St. E. Owner Kendell Bautz was living there, along with his 65-year-old mother and nephew. The nephew works a night shift and was not home at the time. Bautz recalled he personally had returned home from a friend’s house around 2 a.m., and was heading to bed roughly ten minutes later, when he heard a “popping” sound come from the kitchen area.

“I came out the door, seen the smoke, seen the fire, and like the whole back porch was already in a blaze,” he said.

Bautz and his mother quickly rushed outside to safety. Seeing what was happening, a neighbour came over to assist and rescued five little kittens from a room in the front of the house.

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“He had to bust through a window and we had to drag him out,” Bautz explained.

Sadly the mother cat and one kitten did not survive. The father cat was found later that day, hiding under a bed.

“Everything happened so fast like it was terrifying. I’ve never seen smoke like that before. It was instant,” Bautz said.

The family’s BBQ was among the few items that survived the fire. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

For the time being, the family is staying at a neighbour’s house. Fortunately some important documents were salvaged thanks to a fire proof safe. Commenting on the gofundme account and other calls he has received the past 24 hours, Bautz said he is grateful for all the support.

“Clothes and food and money .. everybody has been offering up everything. People have offered me places to stay,” he said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, however Bautz said he has reason to believe it was deliberately set. He explained the remnants of what appears to have been a jerry can were found in the basement area. Beyond having his garage broke into once, Bautz added he has never had any problems.

“I’ve lived here my whole life and we’ve never had a problem in this neighbourhood, like I know most of the neighbours really well,” he said.

Sean Christianson, Bautz’s nephew, was the one responsible for creating the online fundraiser. In a Facebook post, he commented on the family’s financial and emotional loss.

“The memories we made in the house growing up will always have a place in my heart. Growing up with family, the laughs and the cries, family christmas, all the great times we have shared will always be remembered,” he wrote.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell