DS deployed-DIL's home ravaged by fire last night

[mamajoan]

My son is stationed at Ft. Hood but deployed to Iraq. Early this morning my DIL called to tell me her duplex was on fire at 2am!. Thank God she was able to get the kids to safety. The neighbors are safe. The entire upstairs of her unit is destroyed. Nothing is left in the 4 bedrooms.. no clothes, furniture, computer, toys.. all gone. The military community of Ft. Hood swiftly came to her aid. Her neighbors went to Wal-Mart at 3am to get diapers etc and gift cards ... Wow! By 11am Red Cross had given her a check, housing had told her she could move to corporate housing until a new base house was available. The remaining members of my ds's unit were mucking thru the downstairs helping her salvage what could be saved.. smoke and water damage was extensive. Red Cross was also working to get DS home on emergency leave. The police and fire dept reported the fire as accidental. My DIL had lit a scented candle, the window was open, a unexpected gust of wind blew a curtain into the flame... whoosh.. the entire bedroom went up quickly, DIL tried to extinguish the flames to no avail.. got the kids out and Alerted the neighbors. We thank God that no one was hurt. Material things can be replaced! They did not have renters insurance. I am sure they will survive this to. So many people have been so kind to offer money, clothes and time. We are all beyond grateful. God is good.

It has been a long day. I just wanted my DIS friends to know about Mike's family. Thanks for listening.

joan

 

[HappyLawyer]

I am glad everyone is safe and i will keep your son in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[wltdsnyfan]

Gald they all got out ok. and prayers

 

[poohandwendy]

OMG, I am so glad everyone made it out safe.

Everything else, as devastating as it must be, will work itself out. Things can be replaced. Just so glad they are all safe! They must be in total shock though!

{{{HUGS}}} to your family

 

[Buckalew11]

I am so glad they got out safely. I hope your son gets to come home. I am sure they need to see each other.

 

[meeskamouska]

It is amazing how the military community pulls together so quiclky in times like this!!! A similar situation recently happened at our prior bases and the military and civilan communities really took care of this family!!! Your family will be in my prayers!!!

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

Joan - I am so sorry to hear what has happened to your sons house. My Moms house (my childhood home) burned down four years ago the same way.(a candle) She had lived there for thirty years. A total loss. We did rebuild for her. However the memory of that frightening night is still very alive. I will be praying for your family. Red cross, neighbors, and the community was wonderful to my mom as well.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

Oh, how terrible! Thank goodness everyone got out all right. They're in my prayers.

 

[robinb]

Thank goodness your DIL and your grandkids are OK! It's heartwarming to hear how other people stepped up to help the family out. {{hugs}} to your DIL and her babies.

 

[Ziva]

I'm so happy to hear that everyone made it out safely.

 

[trip]

I'm so sorry that this happened to your family. We are retired military and know they will receive loads of support. Thank goodness they are safe!!

If any Disers are renting - please look into renters insurance. I believe it only costs about $15- $25 a month. It's one of those things you hope you never need but if you do ..... I'll now step off of my soapbox.

 

[twinklebug]

a curtain... Wow

I'm happy to hear she and the kids are fine (other than the trauma of loosing everything that is)

If there's a certain item the children are missing - a favorite stuffed animal for example that was taken by the fire, please post a description of it. We can reply with images of our own. Typically they're hard to match up, but you never know, luck seems to be on their side & I know how important those friends are to a child Kids don't understand how lucky they are to be alive, they just feel the loss - a piece of their heart is gone.

 

[mamajoan]

Thank you!!

I know all of the kids and DIL personal items were a total loss.... However.. she was able to recover birth certificates, shot records and a military ID! YAY!!!!

I am not sure of specific items.. we shall have to wait until the dust settles.

Thank you for all of your kind thoughts, prayers and support.

joan

 

[RNMOM]

 

[Kteacher]

I'm so glad that they are okay! I'll be thinking of you and your family Joan

 

[Longsx3]

Joan,
I am so sorry that your family is going through this right now, I would love to send a little something to the kids. When things settle down can you PM me sex/ages and an address that I can mail something to.

As others have said if they didn't have renters insurance when the time is right suggest they look into renters insurance...USAA has wonderful rates.


Kelly

 

[ducklite]

How terrible for the, but I"m glad no one was hurt. I can't imagine the army denying your son an emergency leave. The Red Cross was wonderful to my BIL (DS's DH) when his dad and then my dad passed away within a couple months of each other as far as getting him home from the UK.

Let us know if there's anything we can do as your Disboards family.

Anne

 

[DawnCt1]

thank GOD they are safe.

 

[VanniGirl]

For your family. Glad they are all safe.

 

[4nana]

Oh Moma Joan, I can imagine how upsetting this must be for you . How horrible for your DIL and your little grandbabies. Fires are so devastating, even more so while your DS is in Iraq. Praise God they got out safely and their military family is assisting. Sending big hugs and prayers everything works out for them and your DS Mike gets leave to be with his family in their time of need. Yes, pls let us know if your Dis friends can do anything to help. Godspeed ^i^