Fire Destroys Officer's Home, Possessions: North Port Police

NORTH PORT, FL — A North Port police officer lost his home, most possessions and pets in a house fire Monday, according to an online fundraiser for the family.

Officer Dominick Caravella and his family, including “a small child,” were out of town at the time of the fire and there were no injuries, the Rally Up fundraiser reads.

“They currently have just the clothes on their backs,” the fundraiser said. “To make matters worse, the family lost their two dogs, chickens and cats.”

The fire, started by equipment used to keep baby chicks warm, was ruled accidental by the state fire marshal, according to the fundraiser.

In a Facebook post, North Port Fire Rescue said that firefighters reported to a house fire in the 3800 block of Ulman Avenue around 2 a.m. on Monday, though it didn’t specify this was the fire that has affected Caravella and his family.

The fire was venting through the roof, which collapsed, by the time they arrived, the department said.

Two dogs were removed from the home and fire crew tried to resuscitate them, but they didn’t survive. Two cats were also reported missing.

Despite their losses, the family “is in good spirits but the impact is obviously heartbreaking and significant,” the fundraiser said.