House Springs homeowner hospitalized when fire destroyed her home

HOUSE SPRINGS, Mo. - Sharleen Stockglausner experienced permanent paralysis following a cheerleading accident nearly 40 years ago. On Tuesday, she was hospitalized and battling infections when a fire destroyed her home on Tina Drive in House Springs. Her two roommates safely escaped, but say everything inside was lost.

“She’s a good person,” roommate and caregiver Melissa Higgins said. “She helps everybody.”

Higgins and roommate Dawn Merrill are temporarily staying at a hotel. They’re worried about their future while also being concerned about where Stockglausner will go if she’s released from the hospital.

They say Christmas presents, cherished photographs, and other memorabilia were among the items destroyed. Through all the adversity, Stockglausner has remained strong.

“Nothing stops her, and I just don’t want this to stop her either,” Merrill said.

A GoFundMe was established by Christy Stovall, a friend.

“Just imagine having to start all over with nothing but the clothes that you have on your back, and she said, ‘I only have what I came to the hospital in,'” Stovall said.

Three dogs safely escaped the fire. Donations can also be dropped off at Rub-A-Dub-Doggie, a full-service grooming and doggie daycare located at 1005 Majestic Dr. in Fenton.

“Any small amount would help, and it’s definitely greatly appreciated by all of us,” Higgins said.

Multiple fire departments responded to the blaze Tuesday morning. As of Wednesday, a spokesperson for the High Ridge Fire Department said a cause has not been determined but added investigators found nothing suspicious about the fire.

Stockglausner’s friends are hopeful community members will rally with a show of support.

“She wants to be independent, but sometimes you just have to ask for help,” Stovall said. “I think this is one of those times she really needs our help.”