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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Homeless feeding questioned Disc golf course coming to Cave Junction park Human remains found in burning trailer Fear of orphaned cubs nixes new spring bear hunt Cecil, Stricker to face off again in mayor's race Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Fallen White City firefighter to be honored at national service Barn fire may have been human-caused Emergency services Inmates to get mental health, addiction treatment Missing Medford man found safe in Sweet Home Politics and Elections Cecil, Stricker to face off again in mayor's race Commissioner candidates Talbert, Roberts duel for endorsements Falls: Jackson County sheriff's race isn't over Former sheriff calls Winters' retirement decision 'very wise' Will 'GMO effect' shape election? Education EP school district launches new app Striving to make the grade Fresh produce goes home with Jackson Elementary families State mandates eye exams for kids 7 and younger Eagle Point School District goes silent on gun issue Environment Fear of orphaned cubs nixes new spring bear hunt Josephine County ballot measure would ban commercial and government pesticide use Low water exposes Emigrant Lake's past Wagner Creek work would restore streambank Deer-killing disease won't taint meat for hunters State news Nation - World Obituaries Calvin Schaefer Norma Mae Prilliman Elizabeth Anne Jones Jesse Jay Gilchrist Lorraine Antcha Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories South rebounds with rout of Roseburg Ashland drops MWL boys match to Churchill Hay rallies Pirates past Henley Gadget play gives Grizz win over Comets GP dashes North’s hopes Varsity 541 College Sports Stanford cruises past Washington State High stakes for No. 12 Oregon, No. 18 UCLA Raider men win handily Raiders shut out Eastern Oregon Georgia star Gurley suspended for alleged violation Pro Sports Gordon-led Royals beat Orioles 8-6 in ALCS Donovan hits post in US swan song Birdie binge puts Laird in front at Frys.com Giants-Cards: Here we go again in NLCS Colts hold on for 33-28 win over Texans Community Sports Business Latest Stories Ranchers offer livestock exchange Lithia buys Clovis dealership Blog: When Life Gives You Lemons... Medford airport has busiest September ever County hopes to spur renewable energy Real Estate News Lithia buys Clovis dealership Rental vacancies increase Jackson County real estate sales, prices continue rebound Pallet Wine Co. expands in downtown Medford Medford's Pixel Productions moves to new quarters People In Business Transportation Lithia buys Clovis dealership Agriculture Ranchers offer livestock exchange 1-800-Flowers CEO: Labor shortage an issue for Harry & David Pallet Wine Co. expands in downtown Medford Opinion Latest Election Letters, Oct.11 Another View: Congress must act on firefighting budget Letters to the Editor, Oct. 10 Matthew T. 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Fear of orphaned cubs nixes new spring bear hunt ... Fallen White City firefighter to be honored at national service ... Human remains found in burning trailer ... Fear of orphaned cubs nixes new spring bear hunt ... Fallen White City firefighter to be honored at national service ... 8 lives left Singed house cat and friend treated for smoke inhalation after escaping from burning condo Chyna's singed whiskers and blistered ears and paws tell the tale of how at least one of this cat's nine lives was used up surviving Monday's fire in Central Point. By Sanne Specht MailTribune.com By Sanne Specht Posted May. 16, 2013 @ 12:01 am Updated May 16, 2013 at 10:07 AM By Sanne Specht Posted May. 16, 2013 @ 12:01 am Updated May 16, 2013 at 10:07 AM » RELATED CONTENT • Dogged search ends well » Social News Chyna's singed whiskers and blistered ears and paws tell the tale of how at least one of this cat's nine lives was used up surviving Monday's fire in Central Point. The 9-year-old Burmese, along with 8-year-old Domino, a black and white cat, leaped to safety from the balcony of Chelsea and Daniel Farina's Village Drive condo as flames billowed out the roof and smoke filled their lungs, said Sheri Larkin, the mother of Chelsea Farina. Now the two cats are being treated for smoke inhalation at Siskiyou Veterinary Hospital in Medford. Chyna has a singed coat with second-degree burns on both ears and both right feet. Domino is in better shape with no burns, Larkin said. The cause of the fire that torched the Farinas' unit, and also did damage to the condo of an elderly woman below, remains unknown, but the investigation is ongoing, said Don Hickman, spokesman for Jackson County Fire District No. 3. Extensive damage to the upper unit's overhanging deck required its removal, temporarily delaying further investigation, he said late Tuesday. The 24-unit condo complex is in a neighborhood north of Beall Lane and west of Interstate 5. The couple and their 4-month-old newborn baby were safely across town when their condo burst into flames, Larkin said. But on Sunday night, they had all been together at the condo for a Mother's Day dinner, she said. Larkin suspects the unit's heat pump is the culprit that caused flames to lick at her daughter's cats and send a tower of smoke spiraling into the sky. Medford Fire-Rescue and District 3 responded with six engines and 22 firefighters shortly before 9 a.m. "I was there Sunday night," Larkin said, adding the weather was balmy enough that Daniel Farina turned off the air conditioning. The heat pump, located in the attic, turned itself back on, she said. Farina turned it off again. Larkin noted the smell of "burning rubber." But no one realized the significance of those clues, she said. "Now we're suspecting it was the heat pump," Larkin said. "They'd been having problems with it." Another neighbor has since said that she, too, smelled something burning late that night. And a young boy reported seeing "flames in the attic," Larkin said. "I'm suspecting it smoldered all night," Larkin said. Gina Grove, 90, who lives in the unit below the Farinas, first spotted the flames Monday morning when they were reflected in a black Isuzu Rodeo parked outside her condo. Initially thinking the SUV was on fire, Grove was shocked to realize the condo above her was aflame. Larkin said Wednesday she was glad Grove made it safely out of her condo without injury Monday morning. The kitchen window, where Grove was making breakfast, exploded soon after. Firefighters responded to the blaze at 8:50 a.m. A thick plume of brown smoke towered into the air and could be seen and smelled from Medford, Hickman said. When firefighters arrived, they could hear smoke alarms blaring. They were told all humans had safely evacuated. Grove's young black and white Chihuahua, Mickey, was still trapped inside, Hickman said. Firefighters used infrared heat detectors to locate Mickey through the thick smoke. The little black and white dog was discovered hiding under a bed, and Grove's eyes welled with tears as firefighters placed Mickey safely back in her arms. Grove said her cat, Larry, was missing. But Larry, whom neighbors described as an orange and white feline with a distinctive curly tail, was safely outside when the fire started, she said. Larkin said the cat has since been seen in the area. The Farinas' third pet, a bearded dragon lizard, did not survive the fire, Larkin said, adding her daughter is still too distraught to talk publicly about the family's loss of pet and home. But they are all grateful for the kindness of friends and neighbors who have pitched in to help them replace their belongings, Larkin said. "The baby was just wearing a onesie," Larkin said. "But we've been inundated with baby clothes and adult clothes." Good Samaritans donated bouncers, swings and high chairs, too, she said. The couple purchased and moved into their condo in December. They do have fire insurance, and have received some emergency cash from the company to find temporary accommodations until their condo can be rebuilt, Larkin said. Daniel Farina works as a pharmacy technician at a local hospital. Chelsea stays home with the baby, and will have her hands full rebuilding their home, Larkin said. Help with the cats' vet bills would be appreciated, she said. Anyone wishing to make a donation can contact Siskiyou Veterinary Hospital, 100 W. Stewart Ave., Medford, or call 541-773-1335. If donation amounts surpass the costs of the cats' veterinary care, Larkin said the family would like Siskiyou to use it to help pay the bills for others who may be struggling, too. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 541-776-4497 or email [email protected]. By Sanne Specht MailTribune.com By Sanne Specht Posted May. 16, 2013 @ 12:01 am Updated May 16, 2013 at 10:07 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. 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