VAN VLECK, TX – A tragic fire left a Van Vleck family without a home and mourning the loss of their six beloved dogs.
The fire broke out at 5:29 p.m. on Jan. 15, 2025, at a trailer home on Camino Del Arroyo. The Van Vleck Volunteer Fire Department and Matagorda County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene, with assistance from the Bay City Fire Marshal to determine the cause.
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Desperate attempt to save their pets
Brothers John and Petilla Bass, who lived together in the home, were not there when the fire started. Upon returning from the store, they saw black smoke pouring from their home.
They desperately tried to save their two full-blooded Chihuahuas and four half-terrier mixes trapped inside, but the thick smoke made it impossible to enter.
“I got that close to getting them,” Petilla said. “But I just couldn’t… That’s what bothers me most, is [the dogs] screaming.”
Fire crews battled the flames for over an hour and a half, but the trailer was ultimately declared a total loss, with damages estimated at $15,000.
“Total chaos… it was a total loss of everything,” Petilla said.
Cause of fire
The Bay City Fire Marshal’s investigation revealed that the fire started in a bedroom where a space heater had been plugged in.
While the heater had been turned off before the residents left, officials found that the power cord was frayed and may have shorted out, sparking the blaze.
John explained that he had turned off the space heater before leaving, but when he returned just 15 minutes later, “it was just blazing.”
Support and reflection
The Bass brothers reached out to KPRC 2 News Help Desk for help after losing everything in the fire. They also want to raise awareness about their tragic loss and the dangers of space heaters to prevent this from happening to others.
In an effort to rebuild, Tracy Bass, John’s daughter, created a GoFundMe to help them recover the home he had for the past 30 years.
The Red Cross has stepped in to assist the family with temporary shelter. The residents remain grateful for the support they’ve received but face an uncertain future.
“[Red Cross] gave us money for a motel for a week and stuff… but we don’t know where we stand after that,” Petilla said.
Despite their loss, the family remains hopeful about rebuilding their lives.
“Just pray to God. Things happen for a reason.”
Reflecting on the tragedy, Petilla urged others to take fire safety seriously.
“Don’t think that can ever happen to you, because it can. I mean, it’s just that quick. Everything changed.”
Fire officials urge heater safety
KPRC 2 News reached out to the Bay City Fire Marshal, who shared these important safety tips for using space heaters and supplemental heating sources.
✅ Inspect your heater – Ensure there are no damaged plugs or frayed cords.
✅ Plug directly into an outlet – Avoid using extension cords or power strips.
✅ Keep it clear – Maintain at least three feet of space around the heater.
✅ Turn it off before leaving – Unplug the heater when leaving or going to sleep.
✅ Avoid unsafe heating methods – Never use a gas stove, oven, or generator indoors to heat your home.
