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Dogs Killed, Home Destroyed in Fire

This is the second time a family from Columbia County experienced tragedy at their home. We will tell you more on @WNEP pic.twitter.com/Fmo9HEfhmt — Nikki...

MONTOUR COUNTY -- Four dogs died and a home in Columbia County was destroyed in a fire Friday morning.

It started around 8:30 a.m. in the place on Tower Drive in Montour Township, near Bloomsburg.

Firefighters said no one was home at the time of the fire.

Firefighters tried hard but they couldn't save this home near Bloomsburg.

Vincent Abbatiello watched as his house was destroyed.

"Broke down, all our hard work we did putting the house in. It's only, the house is only four years old," said Abbatiello.

"They lost everything here. It's a total loss to them," said Montour Township Fire Chief Brian Foose. "I don't know what they're going to be able to salvage inside. Once we get the OK we're going to condemn the building for safety reasons so nobody else can get into it after we leave here."

This isn't the first time disaster has hit this family and this house.

"Had a tree fall through the roof, hit me in the head, plowed me into the counter top," said Abbatiello.

In July of 2014, a storm blew through this part of Columbia County leaving a lot of damage. When Abbatiello was hit by the tree, he suffered severe whiplash and there was a big hole in the ceiling of the home.

"We came down and assisted EMS because we thought he was pinned under the tree in the trailer," said Chief Foose.

As for the fire, the chief says there's too much damage to determine a cause.

Abbatiello believes he has the worst luck in the world.

"Yeah, it falls down on me," he said.

He said they don't know what their next step will be. Right now, they getting help from the Red Cross and staying with family who lives in the area.

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