A New Year’s Eve house fire killed a 53-year-old woman and six dogs, and left loved ones grappling with grief and words left unsaid.
FORT WORTH, Texas — Geneva James was just a few blocks from home on New Year’s Eve when her daughter-in-law came rushing to her, frantic and out of breath, trying to explain that the house was on fire.
“You know it was a pretty bad fire,” James said, surveying the charred remains of the house.
The blaze destroyed the home, killed six dogs and claimed the life of Opale Whitney, the mother of James’ nephew. James said Whitney had been inside the house, in a back bedroom, when the fire broke out.
“We stayed mad at each other. but we loved each other and she loved us,” James said.
Whitney, 53, was taken to the hospital, where she later died.
“She didn’t deserve to die like that,” James said. “I never thought she would ever go like that.”
James said when she arrived at the house, the house was still ablaze. Firefighters had pushed Whitney out a window.
“When I got over here, they were doing CPR on her,” she said.
James says a floor heater caused the fire.
“I’ve had these clothes on since yesterday. I have no change of clothes or nothing,” James said. “I don’t know what to do anymore.”
The house had belonged to James’ aunt, who died in November.
James said she was the one who had to notify Whitney’s family about her death.
“She was so strong. She was one of the strong ones,” James said. “She died trying to save them dogs, man.”
James said three more dogs were found inside the house.
“Knockout, Misty and Boudreax were still in the house, and they were under the bed and they had died of smoke inhalation,” she said.
In all, six dogs died in the fire. They were buried in the backyard.
“Everything happened so fast and that’s what I tell my kids never leave home mad. Always tell somebody you love them,” she said.
As the new year begins, James said she is still struggling with what she did not get the chance to say.
“I didn’t get to tell Opale anything,” she said.