Musgrove Road Home Destroyed After Fire Reignites

A house fire that emergency responders initially contained to a bathroom and bedroom reignited overnight Thursday, March 13, resulting in the complete destruction of a family home off Musgrove Road between North Zulch and Madisonville.

Kimberly Curtner was home with her two grandsons when the initial fire began around 12:45 p.m. Thursday, March 13, in the master bathroom of the house. What started as an ordinary day quickly turned into a nightmare for the family.

“I was on the phone with 9-1-1 telling the boys to get out of the house and we were getting the dogs out,” Curtner said.

North Zulch and Madisonville Fire Departments responded and contained the blaze. During the emergency, the family’s 15-year-old deaf Chihuahua went missing inside the home, adding to their distress.

“We have a Blue Heeler and a Chihuahua that’s deaf. He was right with me the whole time and then all of a sudden, he wasn’t,” Curtner said. “I kept trying to go back in, you know, we wanted to find him, but my two grandsons that were here, they were completely freaking out. So, I couldn’t keep going in and leave them scared like that.”

The family stood outside their home, watching helplessly as firefighters battled the flames. After what felt like an eternity, there was a moment of joy amid the devastation.

“One of the firemen walked out with him in his arms. Oh my God, that was such a relief,” Curtner said. “We had almost lost him. He was in there for probably 30 minutes.”

The family went to stay with relatives in Midway for the night because the fire had damaged water lines to the property. Around 11:30 p.m., strong winds contributed to the fire reigniting, completely destroying the home they had built their lives in.

“For a fire to start back after it’s been put out, that’s just, I mean, that happens. The winds that night were just horrific,” Curtner said.

A 2024 Ford Edge parked in the driveway next to the house was also destroyed in the blaze, as flames engulfed everything in their path.

The Curtner family has deep roots in the community, with their children having attended local schools and grandchildren now doing the same. Despite losing nearly everything, the family’s spirit remains unbroken. They plan to stay on their property during the rebuilding process.

“We are going to stay in the community. Our kids all went to school in this community, and our grandkids are now going to school in this community,” Curtner said.

According to their daughter Krista Thomas, the family spent the weekend converting a small house on the property – previously used for storage and occasional housing for her brother, a Marine – into temporary living quarters.

“At least they are able to remain on the property and care for the cows and chickens, and still feel a little ‘at home,’” Thomas said. “We have been able to get immediate needs for my parents and get them set up with temporary living arrangements while they make plans to rebuild their home.”

The community response has been swift and heartfelt, with neighbors, friends and even strangers providing support through donations, essential items and prayers. The outpouring of generosity has been a lifeline for the family in their darkest hour.

“The community has been amazing. There’s been people bringing stuff by, sending money donations, just reaching out with prayers and kindness,” Curtner said. “We’ve been having stuff delivered from people that we didn’t even really know. I’m like, ‘Who is this? There’s a package.’ But it’s just, there’s a lot of love in this community, that’s for sure.”

Neighbors Sara and Kevin Boyd stayed in contact with the family throughout the night of the fire, providing updates and comfort during the traumatic event. They are now organizing a benefit event to assist the Curtners.

“What a sight our poor neighbors had to see,” Curtner said. “Thank you so much Sara and Kevin for staying in contact with me through the night.”

A GoFundMe page has been established to help the family, which has raised $4,655 of its $10,000 goal as of press time. The fundraiser can be found at gofund. me/2a9e7656.

“I could not be more proud of the children we have raised. They have stepped up and took charge where we just needed to breathe a minute,” Curtner said. “The main point that I would like to get across is how appreciative we are.”