WESTFIELD – On Thursday Oct. 6, it was reported by the Westfield News, that a fire occurred at the Heritage Trailer Park on Southampton Rd. Westfield Police and Fire responded to the scene around 9:15 a.m.
As five people live in the home, Patricia Leighton was the lone family member in the house at the time, along with her dog Gabby. In her bedroom, Patricia began to hear a popping noise down the hall and quickly saw a spark coming from her grandson’s room.
Patricia then rushed to the kitchen and filled dish pans with water in attempt to help reduce the sparks. But, the fire immediately escalated. Running back to the kitchen for more water, Patricia slipped and fell on her way back to the place of the scene.
After already calling 911, Patricia was on the ground, helpless. Gabby stayed with Patricia and tried to push her and get Patricia to move and get out of the house.
It was then when a police officer who entered through the porch of the mobile home and dragged Patricia out of the house.
“There was no way I could even move,” said Patricia. “He saved my life.”
Another officer and firemen also came to the aid of Patricia as well.
An electrical issue has been determined to be the cause of the fire. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
According to the Westfield Fire Department, Westfield Police Officers Timothy Grady and Charles Kielbasa were the two officers on the scene. It is still undetermined who the officer is that first dragged Patricia out of the house.
Police and Fire were also able to get Gabby out of the home and had EMT’s check up on the dog. As it seemed like Gabby was okay, animal control took her to the VCA Montgomery Road Animal Hospital on Montgomery Rd. in Westfield.
It was determined that Gabby had been more affected than was thought initially.
“I think she was burnt worse than I knew,” said Patricia.
Gabby was then brought to VCA Boston Road Animal Hospital on Boston Rd. in Springfield on Saturday night. Early Sunday morning, Gabby was put down by a veterinarian.
As the outcome of the fire destroyed the grandson’s bedroom and parts of the hallway and kitchen, it was obvious that the mobile home was not suited to be lived in.
Starting on Thursday, Patricia, her husband Chip Leighton, daughter-in-law Stephanie, son, and grandson, checked in to the Holiday Inn on Southampton Rd.
Gabby the Black Labrador, the Leighton’s dog, was saved from the fire but had to be put down early Sunday morning. (Photo courtesy of the Leighton Family)
The Leighton family then moved out of the Holiday Inn on Saturday and have been living at the Quality Inn on Southampton Rd. ever since. For the next 22 days or so, the family plans on living there and focusing on what will be next after that.
With the fire causing destruction to parts of the home, the family lost some of their belongings.
According to the family, Patricia’s grandson, Hunter, who is Stephanie’s son, lost all of his clothes as well as his school supplies.
Eight years old, Hunter attends Southampton Road Elementary School. Being aware of what happened to the Leighton’s, the school was able to lend a helping hand.
With the help of the principal, PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization), and Hunter’s teacher, they have had people donate gift cards, money, six bags of clothes, school supplies, food, and toys for Hunter and the rest of the family.
“They’ve gone above and beyond,” said Stephanie. “The school’s been my son’s hero, they’ve helped tremendously.”
