Harrington fire kills pets, guts trailer

HARRINGTON – A family lost their home and some pets when fire destroyed their trailer, the fire chief said.

One cat and an unidentified number of caged birds were killed in the fire that broke out Wednesday at the home of Delbert and Kathy Caler on Marshville Road.

Four dogs survived, as did two pigs and a horse in a nearby barn.

“Delbert is feeling awful about it,” said Genevieve Caler, his mother, with whom he has been staying.

The state Fire Marshal’s Office on Friday told Fire Chief Buddy Carter that the cause most likely was wiring near the television set.

Carter said that firetrucks from Harrington, Addison, Columbia and Columbia Falls answered the alarm around 4:30 p.m.

The fire consumed the trailer within minutes of Caler and his school-aged son’s return home from digging worms. Kathy Caler was away on a vacation in Florida and was returning Friday evening.

Caler, who digs clams and worms for a living, let three of the dogs out, then headed for his shop on his property. Within minutes, the trailer was filled with smoke. The dog that had stayed inside got out safely.

“He opened the door but the smoke was too strong to go inside,” Carter said. “Then everything was ablaze. Trailers hold all that heat.”

Caler has told friends and family that he intends to rebuild with a stick-built house rather than a trailer.

Those wanting to make donations to the family may contact Carter at 483-4725 to make arrangements.