Family of 5 displaced, dog perishes
By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com
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HAMLET — A longtime firefighter and paramedic responded to a report of a fire early Monday morning — and the address was instantly familiar.
Robin Leviner, a lieutenant with the Hamlet Fire Department, was the ranking officer and served as incident commander for the blaze, reported at about 12:30 a.m. as a working structure fire by a passerby. Leviner’s brother, Shannon Leviner, said he has three nephews. His oldest nephew, Richmond Raiders star pitcher and shortstop Cody Leviner, was staying the night at his house while 10-year-old twins were having a sleepover at a friend’s house.
Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
The family dog, a chihauhua, was not able to be rescued. It wasn’t immediately clear where in the single-story, vinyl-sided home at 216 Third St. the blaze originated. The cause also was not immediately known. A neighbor reported arriving home shortly before midnight and noted he did not see anything out of the ordinary.
Cody Leviner’s grandmother stood in the side yard and lamented the loss of so many of Cody’s baseball trophies. He’s been playing ball since the age of 6, she said, and had traveled as far as New York to play the game. Cody and Raiders athletic director and baseball coach Ricky Young announced in mid-November that Leviner had signed to continue his studies and play ball for the Catamounts at Western Carolina University Cullowhee. Leviner had verbally committed in July.
Leviner, a senior who will turn 17 next month, and fellow hurler Nic Bullard combined to go 18-5 on the mound for the Raiders, who finished 23-7-1 and claimed the Class 4A East Region championship. Leviner tallied a 1.60 ERA and struck out 74 batters in 78 2/3 innings while walking only nine. Leviner is a two-time all-Southeastern Conference selection. Richmond fell to West Forsyth in a best-of-three series.
Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Shannon Leviner, meanwhile, said the family had insurance and had a place to stay.
“We’ll pull together,” Leviner said. ”
Personnel from the Hamlet Fire Department and Hamlet Police Department responded to the scene. The firefighters’ efforts were delay in part because of a live wire going to the house that was not cut off until well after 1 a.m. A representative of the American Red Cross also arrived on scene to assist the family.
Shannon Leviner said his brother has been working for the fire department as well as at Richmond County Rescue Squad as a full-time paramedic. The goal is to help his son pay to attend Western Carolina.
Firefighters were still on scene as of 3 a.m.
Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
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