Fire at Vin Russo's Facility

[bcr229]

I just saw this on FB. The bolded text is from a GoFundMe fundraiser. I won't post the link since that's against site rules but you can find it using a search engine.

Early in the morning on Saturday July 19th, Vin Russo’s Boa and Python facility was reduced to ashes in just a matter of moments. Our family has suffered a devastating loss after an electrical fire destroyed everything. Vin spent the last 37 years building and dedicating his life's work to what was lost in an instant. We are heartbroken over the loss of our animals, some of which were with Vin for over 30 years.

He is safe from the tragedy yet we face an uncertain future. The liability insurance policy does not cover the animals, equipment or even the cleanup of the rubble and the deceased. Our family is now faced with the task of rebuilding our lives. Our family is reaching out to the community that Vin has known and been a part of his whole life.

If you have a locality boa there's a significant chance it's from bloodlines that Vin Russo worked with.

[dakski]

I just saw this as well.

Utterly tragic.

[Bogertophis]

Oh, that's beyond horrible.

[Homebody]

I recently read his More Complete Boa Constrictor. That guy sure loves boas. This is an absolute gut punch.

[Malum Argenteum]

That's terrible. I can't imagine the loss of all those animals.

[Homebody]

I think of the unique animals that he's been line breeding for years (decades?) that are now lost to the hobby forever.

[mistergreen]

I haven't read deeply into how the fire started. All I can see is that it was electrical. I'm curious if it was caused by any equipment related to husbandry. Bad wiring, overloaded plugs, maybe wet lines.

[Bogertophis]

I haven't read deeply into how the fire started. All I can see is that it was electrical. I'm curious if it was caused by any equipment related to husbandry. Bad wiring, overloaded plugs, maybe wet lines.

I think one could safely assume that. I mean, that's just the odds. That's why we all need to take safety precautions so seriously when setting up snakes. Leave those recommended air gaps for UTH, don't allow heavy items to sit on wires, don't overload circuits or use extension cords if you can help it, remember that stuff gets old & may need replacing, even if it's still "working", etc. Also, remember that wood & other materials can dry out over the years, becoming more flammable. Also avoid clutter- so easy to say, so hard to do! And for pete's sake, have functioning smoke alarms! It's so hard to keep up with everything when one has such a large breeding collection, & this is just so so sad.

[mistergreen]

Makes sense!