Oh my gosh - our neighbors house burned down last night

[tigger813]

A year ago last December a wonderful family in our town lost everything in a fire. Many people donated clothes, books and toys for the family and a fund was set up at a local bank for the family as well. The kids on the little boys bus raised money and bought him a new DS! I am happy to say that they are now in a new home built on the same property. I haven't seen them in a while but they were doing well last time I saw them.

Several years ago the house across the street burned down. Local stores donated gift cards to the family. We stored items in our garage that were not destroyed by the fire for almost a year. The family (an elderly woman and her grandkids) are in a new house across the street.

Best wishes and prayers to family! Anything you do for the family will be a big help especially the first few days. They will need lots of hugs and kind words!

 

[Becky2005]

I never understood how the parents got out but a child didn't now I totally understand how it can happen.

Unfortunately, I lost 2 cousins that way. Theirs happened in the middle of the night so they had been sleeping. One had gotten out with his mom, she told him to STAY while she went back in to get his brother. He paniced and went back in. Unfortunately, the brother had moved from his bedroom apparently sometime in the middle of the night to the couch because his mom just grabbed all the blankets off the bed assuming she was grabbing him with them, she didn't know about that until it was too late.

 

[mom2boys77]

That is so sad.

Unfortunately, I lost 2 cousins that way. Theirs happened in the middle of the night so they had been sleeping. One had gotten out with his mom, she told him to STAY while she went back in to get his brother. He paniced and went back in. Unfortunately, the brother had moved from his bedroom apparently sometime in the middle of the night to the couch because his mom just grabbed all the blankets off the bed assuming she was grabbing him with them, she didn't know about that until it was too late.

 

[golfgal]

I just saw a report in the paper of what I am assuming is this fire. It said it started on the porch--hopefully it was a shorted light and not arson. It also said it set off a couple grass fires so that could have been the glow you saw that went away.

Maybe you can call the fire department and tell them you are a neighbor and see if they know where the family is so you can contact them??

 

[clarabelle]

I am so sorry of all of you that have had to experience this
It is very scary

Thanks for answering my questions!

 

[Feralpeg]

Something very similar happened to me when I was 16. It was summer and I was sleeping. The open window was right next to my bed. A loud noise woke me. I looked out to see the house two doors down on fire. It turned out that the noise that woke me was their glass doors blowing out.

I got my mom and siblings up. We could hear sirens very close, so someone had called the fire department. The entire neighborhood stood outside watching our neighbor's house burn. The dad and two teenage children were able to get out. The mom tried to get to the two little boys. All three died. It was horrible.

After investigation, they discovered that a lamp started the fire. I literally did not sleep at night for a month following the fire. I was afraid. I slept during the day when everyone else was awake. It is still a very vivid and terrible memory.

 

[java]

When one of our neighbors lost part of their home to a fire- we all gave shopping gift cards. Their immediate need is $$. Insurance takes days if not weeks to get going and they need stuff NOW. It is now 2 years later- the house is rebuilt and she still talks about how much that helped in the time of crisis.
I am so sorry for their loss.

 

[connorlevismom]

I just saw a report in the paper of what I am assuming is this fire. It said it started on the porch--hopefully it was a shorted light and not arson. It also said it set off a couple grass fires so that could have been the glow you saw that went away.

Maybe you can call the fire department and tell them you are a neighbor and see if they know where the family is so you can contact them??

Yes, that is the one. I just drove by it on my way home from dropping my son off at school. Last night it was so hard to tell which house exactly it was because of how our street bends. Today I realise that it was the house that I always comment to DH when we go on walks how much I love it. In fact, I commented on it last night when we walked by it. It was a beautiful home. It definately started somewhere in the back (my sister said deck or 3 season porch). The entire back of the house is gone, everything in it is gone and the only thing really standing is a part of the front and a few framing studs. It was eery. The fire trucks were still there so after I shower, I think I am going to walk over and see if I can't find someone who knows where they are.

 

[Fire14]

I also know the red cross responds to fires and stuff to help vivtums so that maybe another place to call to try and locate family

 

[Planogirl]

A lot of fires are caused by lightning in this area. Something the builder in this area did makes these houses real susceptible to fire.

My heart goes out to everyone that's been through this! I can't imagine.

 

[Kathi OD]

so sad. I think a gc is a wonderful idea!

 

[connorlevismom]

I wonder if the arson house fires were set by others, just out of spite or meanness. I also can't imagine anyone purposely setting fire to their own home.

And you brought up a very important point! Children hide when they are scared! It's very common. We had a family once where the little boy was found hiding in the cabinet under the kitchen sink. They had searched everywhere before they were forced (by the fire) to get out, and then the firemen searched and searched for him. Who would think to look there? (and yes, it was too late when he was finally found )

Everyone, show your kids what firemen look like when they are dressed to fight a fire. A child is already scared of the smoke and flames and then they see this coming towards them:

It's their natural instinct to hide. Tell them this is a fireman and he (or she) is there to HELP them, and not to be afraid.

This is a great point. I never think of this because my sister is a fire fighter and my son spends a lot of time at her fire house, so he sees the gear and trucks and stuff. How scary for a child to not know what they look like and see that.

Kristine

 

[CandyMandy]

everyone made it out alright which was a huge sigh of relief.

That is wonderful to hear; homes and possessions are replaceable, life is not. And on that note, here is a related story on the news from Texas this morning that is both sad and inspiring.

Karla Cerino, a 25 year old pregnant mother from EL Paso, was driving her kids in her SUV when a tire blew and it rolled over and burst into flames. She was trapped in the wreckage, but was able to hand her 8-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son to rescuers. They survived.

She and her unborn child did not.

Police who were on the scene literally described her final actions as heroic.

A haunting picture of this selfless mother, taken months ago in the same SUV:

 

[connorlevismom]

That is wonderful to hear; homes and possessions are replaceable, life is not. And on that note, here is a related story on the news from Texas this morning that is both sad and inspiring.

Karla Cerino, a 25 year old pregnant mother from EL Paso, was driving her kids in her SUV when a tire blew and it rolled over and burst into flames. She was trapped in the wreckage, but was able to hand her 8-year-old daugther and 4-year-old son to rescuers. They survived.

She and her unborn child did not.

Police who were on the scene literally described her final actions as heroic.

A haunting picture of this selfless mother, taken months ago in the same SUV:

Oh that is so sad! I have to believe that you don't even really think in that kind of moment. Something else much completely take you over.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Interesting to see this thread today since we had a house fire on our street last night too! Around 6:30 p.m. my son came in from the backyard and said he thought a police car was speeding down our street. When we went out front, the fire trucks were still arriving. We counted 10 vehicles between the fire trucks, rescue squads and battalion chiefs and they all came from 4 different stations. It ended up being a fire in a shed next to a house that spread to the fence and side wall of another house. No one was home at either house. One family was on vacation and the other was grocery shopping. They got the fire out quickly and broke down both doors to check for people. Then they used a chainsaw to cut the burned parts off the side of the roof on one house.

This morning just before 8:00, I heard the trucks again! Turned out a pile of roof material was still smoldering on the lawn and a neighbor called 911. Two trucks came this time and they put it out with a garden hose. Scary stuff! Too bad the one family has to come home from vacation to find their house is burned but it's only the side. Another neighbor had their cell number and was going to call them.

 

[TB'sWidow]

My house burned down the week before christmas in 2005. We lost the family dog. She had been a gift from my beloved dh for valentines day 1995. we also lost everything. My neighbors an church came to my families aid with gift cards etc. grocery store cards are great too.The outpouring of help was unbelieveable. I am truly grateful for all. Mary

 

[fairestoneofall]

one of our neighbors lost her home in a fire last year. we gave her a walmart gift card. that way, she could get whatever she needed--food or towels or something else.

 

[connorlevismom]

The neighbor who lives across the street from them knows where they are and started a neighborhood fund for them. We went over there tonight to bring the gift cards and oh my gosh, the only thing left is the garage. They tore down whatever was left of the front and studs this afternoon. So they must know the cause and the insurance company must have been there already. My DH says they estimate about $750,000 in damage to the home and the two next to it. The ones next to it really only has siding melt from the looks of it.

I was so proud of my 6 year old son. We talked to him tonight about what happened and explained to him that they don't have a home any longer and that we were going to give them some money because they don't have anything but the PJ's they were wearing. He walked upstairs and when we came back down, he had all of the money he has been saving from his allowance. It was 27.00. He wanted to give it to the kids because they had nothing and he has lots. That was a proud moment.

Kristine

 

[AKL_Megs]

Our fire started in our laundry room. Apparently a roll of toilet paper rolled off a shelf and it landed in front of the water heater and ignited. It went so fast. I just thank God that it happened at 8 at night and not 2 a.m. because I'm not sure we would have gotten out as quickly.

This is SO scary. I remember your fire, and ever since, I have been really nervous around our HWH. I've always been super paranoid about fires, but when you said yours was started that way, it just added one more thing to my list that I check OFTEN. Hope things are moving along quickly for you and will be back to "normal" soon.

My youngest son will not even come downstairs when we are cooking and there is smoke.

I hope he doesn't have any REAL lasting fears... When I was also 7, my elementary school had a big fire, and while THAT didn't scare me, the SMELL and the look of everything burnt and lost terrified me, and to this day, 20 years later, makes my heart race. I have a really hard time looking at or smelling a burnt house without anxiety. I feel for your little boy. I pray his memory of this will fade as he grows.

 

[mom2boys77]

Thank you..you actually made me cry. There are so many kind people in the world..and through this event I have met so many of them.

r your fire, and ever since, I have been really nervous around our HWH. I've always been super paranoid about fires, but when you said yours was started that way, it just added one more thing to my list that I check OFTEN. Hope things are moving along quickly for you and will be back to "normal" soon.

I hope he doesn't have any REAL lasting fears... When I was also 7, my elementary school had a big fire, and while THAT didn't scare me, the SMELL and the look of everything burnt and lost terrified me, and to this day, 20 years later, makes my heart race. I have a really hard time looking at or smelling a burnt house without anxiety. I feel for your little boy. I pray his memory of this will fade as he grows. [/QUOTE]