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McCAMMON — A community is rallying around the family of a McCammon man who died after being rescued from a house fire earlier this month, with volunteers organizing cleanup efforts and raising money to help his loved ones recover.
Friends and neighbors are collecting donations for the family of Lance Talbot, 58, who died Sunday at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls from injuries he sustained in the July 2 fire, according to the Bonneville County Coroner’s Office.
RELATED: McCammon man dies 10 days after surviving house fire rescue
The coroner’s preliminary investigation determined that fire-related injuries, combined with preexisting medical conditions, resulted in his death.
Talbot lived at the home with his longtime partner, Shaunene Carter, who grew up on the property, along with her daughter, Shantel Haddock, and Haddock’s 10-year-old daughter, Stelmaria.
In addition to losing their home and nearly all of their belongings, the family is mourning the loss of Talbot and several beloved pets.
“Our family has lost everything,” Carter said. “But the most painful loss is Lance — a grandpa, father and soulmate. This loss is one that will stay with us forever. He will always be with us in our hearts, in our minds and in everything we do as we move forward.”
Carter said the family is taking life “one day at a time” as they begin the difficult process of rebuilding.
“The loss of our beloved pets has also left a hole ripped in our hearts,” she said. “They were our love, our joy and always there with a hug when we needed it.”
The family also lost several beloved pets, including Mazi, a dog that was expecting puppies. Carter had inherited Mazi after her mother’s death four years ago. Also lost in the fire were Star Gem, a white parakeet Talbot had given Carter as a gift, and Gemma, another family dog.
The fire also destroyed the family’s home and storage building, which Carter said had recently been filled with belongings moved from a storage unit.
Despite the devastation, Carter said she hopes to return to the property where she was raised.
“I want to get back to my farm,” she said. “We lost some of our animals, but we still have some there that need us.”
Valerie Tillotson, who is helping coordinate the community fundraising effort, said volunteers have already stepped forward to help the family begin cleaning the property.
“People are willing to do a service day to help load things into Pacific Steel bins in the next couple of weeks,” Tillotson said. “They are sweet people.”
Tillotson said volunteers plan to help remove scrap metal and debris while the family focuses on recovering from the tragedy.
Those wishing to help may donate through Venmo using the handle @Shaunene-Shantel (9353) or by making a deposit into the Mountain America Credit Union account established under the name Shantel Haddock.
“The family appreciates every donation and every act of kindness,” Carter said.
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