CNY woman loses everything in tragic house fire

MARATHON, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — A Cortland County woman is in mourning after she tragically lost her father, several dogs and her home in an early morning fire on Monday.

Jaime Allen of Marathon had just arrived home Sunday night after a long day of travel. Not knowing she would be waking up to the unimaginable.

“I had gone to New Jersey for the day on Sunday and had gotten back and I was exhausted and just said, I don’t want to make my bed, I’m going to sleep in the camper. So I grabbed my inside dogs and we were camping out for the night and that’s probably why I’m here,” said Allen.

Allen’s world would be gone in a matter of minutes after her childhood home caught fire just after midnight on Monday, September 9.

“My dogs awoke me at about 12:20 in the morning and I got up and realized that my house was on fire. I got up and tried to get into the house and was unable to get into the house to save my dad. I was able to get a couple of my dogs out of the garage. I called 911 and just watched my whole life go up in flames,” said Allen.

Allen’s 71-year-old father didn’t make it out.

“He would give the shirt off his back, even if it had holes in it. He was just the type of person that would help anybody,” said Allen.

Several of her animals were also unable to escape the flames.

“I lost a litter of six puppies and their mom and one of my eight-month-old puppies. My husband came down and was able to save two of my dogs, burning his hand in the process,” said Allen.

What was once her childhood home, is now in ashes. Allen walks away from the devastation as she mourns the loss of her dad.

“Everybody knew him and my sister and I have already heard so many stories that we didn’t know, some good, some crazy. Hearing them is nice but I’d give it all back to have him here,” said Allen.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Allen and her family as they are left to pick up the pieces.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

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