Family Dog Perishes in El Cerrito House Fire

A fire in an El Cerrito home Sunday afternoon burned part of the kitchen, caused heavy smoke damage and claimed the life of the family dog, Annie.

The fire at 5724 Alta Punta Ave. in north El Cerrito broke out Sunday afternoon when the residents, Alan Ow and his 6-year-old daughter, were at a barbecue in Pleasanton, Ow said Wednesday when Patch stopped by to find out what happened.

The family pet, an 8-year-old beagle mix, was home at the time and apparently died of smoke inhalation, Ow said.

"She was a great family dog," he said, pausing as his voice choked. Firefighthers found the pet under the daughter's bed, and attempts to revive her were unsuccessful, Ow said.

Firefighters suspect the fire started with a hot water dispenser in the kitchen, Ow said. He said the cabinets above the device were burned, as were the thick layers of paint on the kitchen walls. Smoke permeated the entire house, he said.

City officials posted a notice on the boarded-up front entry saying, "Unsafe / Do Not Enter or Occupy." (See attached photo.)

Ow said he has lived in the house since he was born, 42 years ago. The loss follows the death in November of his mother, Sylvia Ow, who also lived in the home.