The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Family displaced after fire
Chantel Gardner and her family are trying to move forward with life after a fire destroyed their Avon Lake townhouse and almost all of their belongings.
On April 19, Gardner’s fiance, James McIntyre , returned home – after dropping their daughter off at her grandparents house – to find the house on Westwind Drive in flames.
“When James returned home, he found the house on fire and immediately ran inside to try and save as many animals as possible,” said Gardner, 34. “He was able to save five animals, but only three were able to make it.”
Due to the deadly smoke, the Gardner family lost 12 animals – eight cats, three chinchillas and a dog, according to Gardner.
McIntyre, 41, also was transported to a hospital because of high levels of Carbon dioxide he received from the blaze, she said.
While the cause of the fire is still being determined, it is known it started from the kitchen area, Gardner said.
The Gardners have been displaced for over 30 days.
“We are currently living in Fairview Park at grandma’s house,” she said. “I have our daughters and my finance is living with his mother in Olmsted Falls.”
This is not the first tragedy the Gardners has had to face.
Gardner’s daughter, Jazmine Gardner, has battled Stage IV cancer twice.
Jazmine, 13, suffers from migraines and attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder from the chemotherapy. She also has chronic back pain and back problems because when the tumor returned, it was in her spine, her mother said
One of the cats lost in the fire belonged to Jazmine, Gardner said.
“Salem was her best friend and he helped her through her battle with cancer,” she said. “It’s heartbreaking going through another tragedy.”
The family has set up a crowdfunding account to help them move forward.
“Our biggest concern is to get our family back together to heal,” Gardner said.
The couple also has a daughter Skyka McIntyre, who is 2 years old.
To help the family, visit https://www. youcaring.com/ chantelgardner-811227 or McIntyre-Gardner Fire Fund at any First Federal Lakewood location or at the main branch located at 20425 Center Ridge Road, Rocky River, OH 44116.