The Fire Was Small But The Heartbreak Is Immeasurable
By Doug La Rocque
“As long as I keep moving I can focus and function, it’s when I stop that the scope of everything that has happened really hits home.” Those were Liz Dubacher’s words to The Eastwick Press about the Thursday evening, August 22 fire at the Berkshire Bird Paradise on Red Pond Road in Grafton. Hundreds of birds housed in the Parrot Pavilion lost their lives primarily because of the smoke created when a heat lamp was somehow knocked over. Ms. Dubacher says if it wasn’t for the heroic efforts of her father, neighbors, first responders and two New York State Troopers, many more birds would have perished. Her gratitude to these people is beyond words. About 50 parrots and parakeets were rescued, and are currently being housed in the Dubacher home.
Her father Pete Dubacher suffered from smoke inhalation, and was later transported to the Stratton Veterans Hospital in Albany for treatment, as well as for the stress suffered from the event. He returned home Monday evening, the very day his daughter and volunteers buried all the birds that died that day.
Ms. Dubacher says she “is overwhelmed by the community response that has been on scene since last Thursday, but in reality, it is only the beginning of the massive recovery task that lies ahead. The entire structure has been condemned and must be stripped down to the outer shell and rebuilt before the birds can be returned to their home. She is hopeful this can be accomplished before winter sets in.
The Berkshire Bird Paradise was founded 47 years ago by Pete Dubacher and his wife Bettyann. Liz Dubacher says she has grown up there, and it is now as much a part of her life as her parents. She reminds people, this is a sanctuary, and not a zoo. When sick or injured birds are brought to the Bird Paradise, they are nursed back to health, and the place people call a “Rensselaer County Treasure”, becomes their forever home. Because of the fire, the Bird Paradise will remain closed for the rest of the year.
As in any tragedy, money comes into play. Ms. Dubacher says it remains to be seen how much of the damage will be covered by their insurance. The cost of the clean up, recovery and rebuilt will be high. There is currently a go “fund me page” set up and donation efforts being coordinated by friends on Facebook, but it is going to take a lot more. The groundwork for a large-scale fundraiser is currently underway. We will be able to report more on this next week.
The Eastwick Press is honored to have been asked to help in this and anyone who is willing to lend a hand in any way, is invited to email news@eastwickpress.com.