By MATT LINDSEY

North Country Now

PIERREPONT — One man was left homeless and several of his dogs were probably killed following a house fire on Wilson Road Tuesday afternoon.

Lorenz Tabacaru, who owned the 255 Wilson Road residence, attempted to battle the blaze himself before fleeing the scene in his vehicle in an attempt to get help, according to Peter Hoyt of the Pierrepont Fire Department.

Tabacaru reportedly crashed his vehicle a short time later before eventually finding someone to call for help.

Hoyt said the house was a total loss as it was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived on scene. The fire, reported at 12:07 p.m., is believed to have originated near a fuel oil furnace, Hoyt said.

One dog was found alive outside the home, but others possibly perished in the fire, he said.

Tabacaru had reached out for help on social media two months ago in the hopes of getting enough money raised to replace his furnace.

This past November, Tabacaru created a GoFundMe page aimed at replacing his furnace.

He was able to get it running, but it smokes the house when it runs. “It has a crack in the air chamber,” Tabacaru said on the website. “The whole thing needs to be replaced.”

He goes on to say he is on Social Security, is 71-years old, an army veteran, disabled because of Lupus and lives on a limited income that mostly goes toward bills and medication. “I need help my kids do what thy can but can't help with cost of furnace. God bless you and keep you,”

The GoFundMe raised $5 toward a $6,000 goal.

The fundraiser, which is still active, can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/home-furnce?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fb_dn_cpgnsharebartop_r&fbclid=IwAR2S7ll_1Jq6_W4_cSx79rUtQRRfG979_VB5cjPkK9hBuCnuKjnKRTWFTKY.

Tabacaru was reportedly taken to Canton-Potsdam Hospital. Hoyt was not sure the nature of the injuries possibly sustained from the fire or vehicular accident.

Hoyt said the home was not insured. Tabacaru received assistance from the Red Cross.

Firefighters from Hannawa Falls, Canton and Colton assisted at the scene.