Cheswick couple grateful for support after house fire

A Cheswick couple is expressing their gratitude for an outpouring of support after a Friday morning house fire destroyed almost everything they owned and killed their two dogs.

Kayla Fischerkeller and Ryan Brittingham, who are engaged to be married this spring, were at work when the fire engulfed their single-story house. Their two children, ages 3 and 5, were at their grandmother’s house.

Brittingham said one of the biggest challenges for the family right now is dealing with the loss of their dogs. Otherwise they are taking it “one step at a time,” staying with relatives and accepting the kindness of strangers and the support of their neighbors.

“I had neighbors and people I didn’t even know step up and try and help out, and that meant the most to me. We’re very grateful,” said Brittingham. “The support from everybody is what helped us get through last night. We’ll get through this.”

Brittingham works as a laborer at the Harmar Water Authority in Harmarville while Fischerkeller is employed as a waitress at Eat’n Park in Etna.

Their wedding is scheduled for this May.

In the meantime, Brittingham says he doesn’t anticipate his family having any problems finding a place to stay.

“We’re bouncing back and forth between her relatives and mine,” Brittingham said. “So many people have welcomed us into their houses, it’s unbelievable. We should never have a problem laying our head down.”

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office.

The fire was the first of two to heavily damage an Alle-Kiski Valley house Friday morning. A fire started an hour later at a house on Upper Burrell’s Lincoln Boulevard.

Fischerkeller’s mother, Cindy, has set up a GoFundMe account.