In Cleveland’s Edgewater neighborhood, a family is grappling with the aftermath of a devastating house fire believed to be arson, but amidst the tragedy, there’s a glimmer of hope. Cecilia Li and her husband, Felipe Freitas, faced the horror of an early Saturday morning blaze that not only threatened their lives but initially led them to believe they had lost their pets as well.
However, in an uplifting turn of events on Monday, the couple discovered that their cat, Evelyn, who has been a part of Li’s life through many ups and downs, survived the fire. The family quickly sought veterinary care, and thankfully, Evelyn was reported to be in stable condition.
The intentional nature of the fire adds a layer of distress to the incident. According to the Cleveland Division of Fire, the fire was started with an ignitable fluid on the home’s front porch, quickly spreading to the rest of the house and causing significant damage to adjacent properties and vehicles. The total damages are estimated to exceed $700,000.
Mike Norman, Public Information Officer for the Cleveland Fire, shared details about the ongoing investigation, noting that a person of interest is being considered. To assist in the investigation, a specially trained K-9 from the Painesville Township Fire Department was brought in. Lieutenant Gordon Thompson explained the dog’s role: “He’s trained to detect ignitable liquids. Trace amounts of those liquids will come through typically after the fire, and he’ll help me find if there’s any left.”
The community and authorities are working closely to apprehend the individual responsible for this act. The Fire Investigation Unit has issued an appeal for anyone with information about the incident to come forward. There is a $2,500 reward offered for information that leads to an arrest and successful prosecution.
Despite the overwhelming situation, the resilience shown by Li, Freitas, and their surviving pet Evelyn provides a heartfelt reminder of hope and endurance amidst adversity.
