WESTFIELD – A disabled veteran, who lost everything in a fire and was injured saving his pets, is accepting donations until his insurance money comes in.
Ron Zebrowski survived a fire that broke out in the basement below the bedroom of his School Street apartment in Chicopee during the early morning hours of August 12.
Zebrowski, 60, was able to rescue Coco, a dog he had adopted from the Westfield Regional Animal Shelter only a few weeks before the fire, but he had trouble finding his 12-year-old cat, Peachy.
“The smoke was so thick I could barely see,” he said. “When I found Peachy, he was foaming at the mouth.”
Zebrowski, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps. from 1973 to 1977, ended up in the emergency room and was treated for smoke inhalation. His pets were fine, but he lost everything.
“If you’re renting, get renters’ insurance,” Zebrowski said. “Anything can happen any time, any day.”
Zebrowski was housed in the Red Roof Inn in West Springfield, which the American Red Cross covered for three days and then his insurance kicked in.
He was panicking, though, because the insurance money to cover the motel bill was running out. Luckily, he said he found an apartment in Westfield, a city he fell in love with after visiting Coco in the shelter for several weeks while Coco was being treated for infections and getting ready to be adopted.
Zebrowski, who was able to sign a lease on Friday, said, “I am extremely blessed and fortunate that I can move right in.”
He said he scraped all the money he had together for the new apartment.
“If people have furniture, save it for someone who will need it more than me,” Zebrowski said. Once he receives the check from his insurance company, he’ll be able to replace major items.
“I need utensils and small household items,” he said. “I don’t have anything,” but a bed.
Some donations have already come in because Lori Charette, animal control operations manager of the Westfield Regional Animal Shelter, has been adding regular posts to the shelter’s Facebook page about Ron’s situation.
“I can’t thank her enough,” Zebrowski said.
Dozens of comments have been left by people offering items, ideas and support to Ron.
To donate items, call the Westfield Regional Animal Shelter at (413) 564-3129 (and select option 1).
“Please don’t bring in or leave things at the shelter,” Charette said. When people call, she can get them in touch with Ron.
Staff Writer Christine Charnosky can be reached at [email protected]
