For the City Times

VESPER – A town of Seneca home was destroyed and multiple pets lost after a Dec. 20 fire.

The Vesper Fire Department was called to a home at 3915 Elm Rd shortly before 4:30 p.m., where firefighters found a three-story loft-style log home filled with heavy smoke and a fire in the east end of the lower level.

Many personal belongings were salvaged from the home, but numerous pets died in the fire.

Mutual aid units were released from the fire around 7-8 p.m., but were recalled at 10:50 p.m. for a flare-up. Vesper Fire units cleared the scene at 3:09 a.m. the following morning.

Investigators determined that the accidental fire started in a lower level bedroom and may be the result of electronic devices.

The structure, owned by Todd & Jan Ketter, was a total loss.

The Vesper department was assisted by the Wisconsin Rapids, Rudolph, Port Edwards, Nekoosa, Pittsville, and Arpin fire departments. Additional assistance was provided by United Ambulance, Wood County Central Rapid Intervention Team, Wood County Fire Investigation Task Force, Wood County Red Cross, Doine Excavating, Kwik Trip, and Wood County Sheriff’s, highway, and dispatch departments.