A total loss

POMEROY– Joe Dixon's long-time residence was lost to fire last Saturday, March 21, displacing Dixon, and a family living with him, at 1281 Pataha Street. Pomeroy fire crews were called to the 6:08 p.m. fire, which bystanders said quickly engulfed the entire residence, which was not occupied at the time. There were no injuries.

Dixon had lived in the house for 45½ years, and was recently joined by the Thayer family, T. R., Maria, her teenage daughter Bella, and three dogs. The residents of the home relied on heat mostly from the fireplace and electric heaters.

No one was at home at the time of the incident except the three dogs of which two were outside. It is presumed that the third dog escaped and is still at large.

To bystanders it was reported that the fire seemed to be located in the living room at first, but within a matter of minutes the two-story house was fully engulfed.

"It is a miracle that they were not home at the time of the fire, said Donna Lindemann, family spokesperson. "It could have been so much worse. The fire went through the house extremely fast. We were having a family gathering at my house when we got the call. By the time we got to the fire, the house was fully engulfed and we were only three blocks away."

Dixon is presently staying Lindemann and the Thayer family is staying with friends in Pomeroy. Both families lost everything in the fire

A "Go Fund me" site has been set up for the Thayer family. As of Monday afternoon, donations amount to $1745.

An account for Joe Dixon has been opened at the Pomeroy Lewis Clark Credit Union. Because the LCCU office is closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, donations may be placed in the drop box at the front of the building.

Mutual aid from Asotin also responded.