Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
- A West Valley City family lost their home to a fire caused by a dog.
- Despite the loss, the Treadways remain grateful, having overcome health issues.
- Community support and gratitude help the Treadways rebuild their lives after adversity.
WEST VALLEY CITY — A devastating house fire has left one family without a home, but for the Treadways, this is just another hurdle in a year filled with challenges. Despite everything, their gratitude remains unwavering.
It was Monday afternoon when Jesica Treadway received an unexpected notification on her phone.
"I saw a notification on my phone that said your doorbell rang," she recalled.
Moments later, Jesica watched in shock as her husband spoke urgently with their neighbor.
"It was my next-door neighbor talking to my husband, saying, 'What's the code? Your house is on fire,'" she said.
Dennis Treadway was at work, and their next-door neighbor was at the door with a fire extinguisher.
The culprit? Zeke, one of the family's four beloved dogs, had jumped up to grab pizza boxes off the stove — accidentally turning on the burner in the process.
A year of challenges
The fire destroyed their home, which was just weeks away from having a finished basement. However, for the Treadways, this was simply another obstacle in a year full of hardships. One year ago, Dennis Treadway was battling kidney failure and desperately needed a transplant. Jesica Treadway, determined to help, began the process of donating her own kidney.
"I really was just thinking, 'Oh, I'll donate to him,'" she said.
Doctors soon discovered she was not an ideal match for her husband. But rather than giving up, she donated her kidney anyway, helping another patient in need — an act that placed Dennis Treadway on the living donor list. Then, just days before Christmas, the call they had been hoping for finally came.
"On the 20th of December, they called and said, 'We have your kidney,'" Jesica Treadway recalled.
In late January, Dennis Treadway underwent his transplant surgery. The results were life-changing.
"For the first time in years, I feel great," he said.
Finding gratitude in the face of loss
Now, with their home gone and no furniture or clothing left, the Treadways are searching for a place to stay. Despite the hardships, their perspective remains positive.
"I'm thankful for the neighbors that we have. They've all become like family to us over the last five years," Jesica Treadway shared.
Dennis Treadway said they are blessed to have the love of their neighbors.
While news crews walked through the burned-out home with them, the family received another surprise: their school counselor stopped by with a gift bag for a movie night. The Treadways plan to spend the weekend watching films together in their temporary home — a hotel.
In the face of adversity, their resilience shines through. And as they continue to rebuild their lives, one thing remains clear: gratitude is the foundation that keeps them strong.
A *GoFundMe has been set up to help support the Treadways rebuild.
*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
