Community aids family after Shovel Mountain fire
SHOVEL MOUNTAIN – Community members have come to the aid of a woman who advocates for animals and her family after a fire destroyed their home in south Burnet County on Sept. 10.
The fire, which investigators say may have been caused by a candle, occurred in the two-story home at 308 CR 403-A owned by David and Patricia J. Walker.
Friends said “Tish” Walker, an avian enthusiast, lost five pet birds in the fire. She is a past board member of the Highland Lakes Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and has volunteered with Pet Pals.
“She came to our school last year and did a demonstration,” said Highland Lakes Elementary educator Debbie Nelson, who also volunteers with Highland Lakes SPCA. “She’s done a lot of wonderful things in this area. Now it’s time for the community to help her.”
An account to assist the family has been set up under “Tish Corvidae” at American Bank of Texas, 418 U.S. 281 North in Marble Falls.
Call (830) 693-3676 for more information or send a donation to the bank at P.O. Box 888, Marble Falls, TX 78654.
The family — including a young granddaughter — escaped the blaze safely, but were displaced, officials said. Burnet County deputies have put them in touch with the Red Cross for assistance.
According to fire officials, the alarm was turned in shortly after 6 p.m. as fire crews rushed to a call for flames on the second story.
The Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department, the Spicewood Volunteer Fire Department, Granite Shoals Fire Department and Horseshoe Bay Fire Department were among the agencies called to the scene.
Firefighters brought the blaze under control in less than an hour.
“The only thing that we determined as a possible cause based on the occupants was that there was a candle lit upstairs that was real close to the origin of the fire,” said Terry White, chief of the Marble Falls volunteers.