Canton Family Loses Belongings, Pets in Fire

Kristy McDermed and her five children lost of all of their belongings and two family pets – a cat and a hamster – in a fire Monday. (Photo via GoFundMe)

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A Canton mom and her five children who lost all of their belongings and two beloved family pets in a Monday fire need help putting their lives back together.

A GoFundMe campaign for Kristy McDermed and her had raised $500 of a $5,000 goal by Tuesday evening. The campaign was started by McDermed’s sister, Paula Smith, who said money will pay for veterinary bills for a surviving cat, Violet, and for housing costs.

McDermed and her 3-year-old toddler escaped the fire unharmed. The other children were at school at the time, according to reports on Hometownlife.com. She and her children, ages 3-21, are staying with friends.

Authorities believe the fire, which broke out about 12:30 p.m. Monday inside the two-story apartment at Canton Gardens, was accidental. The complex is located off Joy near I-275.

Smith said her sister and children are “really upset and shaken by this.”

In addition to monetary donations to the GoFundMe campaign, donations of furniture, children’s clothing and toys are being accepted at the Canton Gardens complex.

Violet, the cat that survived the blaze, is being care for at Alsager Animal Care Center. The cat was treated at the scene with an animal oxygen oxygen delivery device that is kept on Canton fire engines.

“The cat is in serious respiratory distress and is being treated with oxygen therapy at this point,” Canton Fire Chief Joshua Meier said.

Canton Police Officer Melissa Andes and Firefighter Nick Bishop administer oxygen treatment to Violet, a cat who survived a blaze in a Canton apartment Monday. (Canton Public Safety photo via GoFundMe)