Community helps disabled veteran after tragic house fire
NBC Today
Elizabeth Murray
August 24, 2014
Captain Edward Klein has seen his share of pain and loss. Two years ago, the veteran soldier stepped on an IED in Afghanistan, losing both his legs, and arm and most of his remaining fingers.
After 18 months in rehab, Klein and his wife Jessica were just starting a new life together, putting the worst behind them until 10 days ago when their Maryland home caught fire.
"I started to see the smoke," Klein said. " About that time the alarms started going off."
But Klein and his wife Jessica were in the basement, and due to his injuries, Klein needed help escaping the flames.
"She was able to pull me out onto the front porch," Klein said. "And this is the really amazing part — that by the time I got outside, there were neighbors already standing on the porch waiting to help."
But that wasn't the only help neighbors and others in the community were willing to give.
read more here
Showing posts with label house fire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label house fire. Show all posts
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Long Island Steps Up For National Guardsman After Fire
LONG ISLAND TOWN RALLIES TO HELP AFGHANISTAN WAR VETERAN AFTER HOME CATCHES ON FIRE
ABC News WABC New York
Kristin Thorne
July 5, 2014
CENTRAL ISLIP (WABC) -- When Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Brian Fox returned from Afghanistan in 2009, he gave himself a mission - to buy a house.
Unfortunately a fire swept through the second floor of his prized Central Islip home, taking all of the furniture and clothes with it.
"You work hard to get a house, and in a blink of an eye, everything is gone," said Sgt. Fox.
Most importantly, Fox's two daughters, wife and granddaughter made it all out.
"I ran down as fast as I could screaming 'fire!' and I went to the phone and dialed 911," said Sgt. Fox's daughter, Victoria.
There is no word yet on what started the fire, but for now, the family is staying at a hotel through the Red Cross. On Monday, Sgt. Fox is going to pick out a new trailer.
read more here
ABC News WABC New York
Kristin Thorne
July 5, 2014
CENTRAL ISLIP (WABC) -- When Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Brian Fox returned from Afghanistan in 2009, he gave himself a mission - to buy a house.
Unfortunately a fire swept through the second floor of his prized Central Islip home, taking all of the furniture and clothes with it.
"You work hard to get a house, and in a blink of an eye, everything is gone," said Sgt. Fox.
Most importantly, Fox's two daughters, wife and granddaughter made it all out.
"I ran down as fast as I could screaming 'fire!' and I went to the phone and dialed 911," said Sgt. Fox's daughter, Victoria.
There is no word yet on what started the fire, but for now, the family is staying at a hotel through the Red Cross. On Monday, Sgt. Fox is going to pick out a new trailer.
read more here
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Apartment house on fire, quick actions, military training, saved lives
Marine Saves Lives in Apartment Fire
Marine Corps News
by Cpl. Sarah Cherry
Feb 28, 2014
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort -- Just past midnight, in the dark early morning hours of Feb. 17, Lance Cpl. Tad Steadman and his friend Mike Hassan were working on their cars outside the Westbury Mews Apartments in Summersville, S.C., when Steadman, an air traffic controller aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, noticed something wrong.
A small fire was beginning on the second story of the 900 block of the apartment building.
"I saw it’d started jumping up to the third deck," said Steadman, who immediately directed Hassan to call 911 and ran into the building. "I ran straight to the second story to the apartment it started in and started banging on the door. My first thought process was getting everyone out."
As Hassan, a former soldier, spoke with emergency services on the phone, Steadman continued alerting residents moving next to the apartment directly above the fire. Soon he was joined by Hassan and helped clear people out of the building.
"Military mode kicked in," Hassan said. "We were yelling 'fire, fire, fire' and 'get out.'"
read more here
Marine Corps News
by Cpl. Sarah Cherry
Feb 28, 2014
Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort -- Just past midnight, in the dark early morning hours of Feb. 17, Lance Cpl. Tad Steadman and his friend Mike Hassan were working on their cars outside the Westbury Mews Apartments in Summersville, S.C., when Steadman, an air traffic controller aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, noticed something wrong.
A small fire was beginning on the second story of the 900 block of the apartment building.
"I saw it’d started jumping up to the third deck," said Steadman, who immediately directed Hassan to call 911 and ran into the building. "I ran straight to the second story to the apartment it started in and started banging on the door. My first thought process was getting everyone out."
As Hassan, a former soldier, spoke with emergency services on the phone, Steadman continued alerting residents moving next to the apartment directly above the fire. Soon he was joined by Hassan and helped clear people out of the building.
"Military mode kicked in," Hassan said. "We were yelling 'fire, fire, fire' and 'get out.'"
read more here
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Ex-Marine saves family in fire: ‘It’s how I live’
Ex-Marine saves family in fire: ‘It’s how I live’
My Marine Corps training kicked in and I just wanted to save the family,' said Mark Atkinson. He caught four kids as they jumped from a second-floor window to flee from the raging blaze.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
BY TINA MOORE
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2013
The hero who caught four children as they leapt from a second-floor window to escape a house fire in Queens said his military training took over when he saw the smoke.
“My Marine Corps training kicked in and I just wanted to save the family,” said Mark Atkinson, 45, who lives in the neighborhood and drove to the Jamaica home Sunday when he noticed thick smoke.
“I started to call 911, until I heard, ‘Help me! Help me!’ I saw the wife and husband in the window. . . . Everything was chaotic,” he recalled. “That’s when I started catching all the kids.”
read more here
My Marine Corps training kicked in and I just wanted to save the family,' said Mark Atkinson. He caught four kids as they jumped from a second-floor window to flee from the raging blaze.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
BY TINA MOORE
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2013
 |
MARCUS SANTOS// NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Mark Atkinson credits Marine training for his instinct to catch four kids leaping from a Queens house fire.
The hero who caught four children as they leapt from a second-floor window to escape a house fire in Queens said his military training took over when he saw the smoke.
“My Marine Corps training kicked in and I just wanted to save the family,” said Mark Atkinson, 45, who lives in the neighborhood and drove to the Jamaica home Sunday when he noticed thick smoke.
“I started to call 911, until I heard, ‘Help me! Help me!’ I saw the wife and husband in the window. . . . Everything was chaotic,” he recalled. “That’s when I started catching all the kids.”
read more here
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Community comes together after lightning strike kills veteran's wife
Veteran loses wife after house struck by lightning
Valley Central
by Veronica Gallegos
Posted: 06.15.2013
Most of the people that were at Raul Vera's home in Mercedes all had something in common; they honor the red, white and blue.
Many served in wars, fighting for this country.
"The flag represents everything that we hold near and dear as veterans of the armed forces that is our most sacred symbol," Americas Last Patrol member Mario Llanas said.
The group helping with Operation Clean-up is fighting for something else.
They are trying to help a man who lost it all, and will now have to rebuild his life that was shattered after lightning struck his house and set it ablaze a week ago.
Not only did the disaster destroy all Vera owns, but left his wife, Martina severely burned on more than 50 percent of her body.
Pictures are the treasured memories Raul Vera wants to recover, it’s all he has left of his late wife 78- year-old Martina Vera.
"They had disconnected her yesterday from life support and they were monitoring her, keeping her as comfortable as possible and I guess checking to see if she would improve but she kept getting steadily worse," Mercedes Veterans War Memorial Irma Agueros said.
With no signs of improvement Raul Vera made the hardest decision he’s had to make in his 89 years, taking his beloved Martina off of life support.
She died early Saturday morning.
read more here
Veteran loses wife after house struck by lightning
Valley Central
by Veronica Gallegos
Posted: 06.15.2013
Most of the people that were at Raul Vera's home in Mercedes all had something in common; they honor the red, white and blue.
Many served in wars, fighting for this country.
"The flag represents everything that we hold near and dear as veterans of the armed forces that is our most sacred symbol," Americas Last Patrol member Mario Llanas said.
The group helping with Operation Clean-up is fighting for something else.
They are trying to help a man who lost it all, and will now have to rebuild his life that was shattered after lightning struck his house and set it ablaze a week ago.
Not only did the disaster destroy all Vera owns, but left his wife, Martina severely burned on more than 50 percent of her body.
Pictures are the treasured memories Raul Vera wants to recover, it’s all he has left of his late wife 78- year-old Martina Vera.
"They had disconnected her yesterday from life support and they were monitoring her, keeping her as comfortable as possible and I guess checking to see if she would improve but she kept getting steadily worse," Mercedes Veterans War Memorial Irma Agueros said.
With no signs of improvement Raul Vera made the hardest decision he’s had to make in his 89 years, taking his beloved Martina off of life support.
She died early Saturday morning.
read more here
Veteran loses wife after house struck by lightning
Monday, March 18, 2013
Fire Leaves Veteran Couple, Five Kids Homeless
Fire Leaves Veteran Couple, Five Kids Homeless
KWTX News
KILLEEN (March 17, 2013)--A house fire leaves a veteran couple and their five kids looking for a new place to live.
Fire officials said the fire started around 4 a.m. on Sunday at a home on Edgewood Dr., near Highway 190 and Stan Schlueter Loop.
It all started in the kitchen where fried chicken was left unattended on a burning stove, according to the fire chief.
read more here and see video report
KWTX News
KILLEEN (March 17, 2013)--A house fire leaves a veteran couple and their five kids looking for a new place to live.
Fire officials said the fire started around 4 a.m. on Sunday at a home on Edgewood Dr., near Highway 190 and Stan Schlueter Loop.
It all started in the kitchen where fried chicken was left unattended on a burning stove, according to the fire chief.
read more here and see video report
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Disabled Vietnam veteran credited for saving 4-year-old fire victim
Disabled Vietnam veteran credited for saving 4-year-old fire victim
Published January 24, 2013
FoxNews.com
A Vietnam veteran in Chicago is being credited for saving a 4-year-old girl's life after she caught fire in her bed.
"I believe that she was being sheltered by God already," Clyde Harden, 55, a disabled veteran, told The Chicago Tribune. "Somebody was there for her."
Harden was alerted to the Wednesday night fire after he heard his neighbor yell, "my sister's on fire," The Sun-Times Media Wire reported. He rushed to the girl's apartment and used a towel to smother the flames. He said the girl appeared to be badly burned and in shock.
"She was crying and she put her head on my shoulder," he said. "It's scary because the burns were so severe," he said, according to the wire. At that time, another neighbor poured water on the flaming mattress.
read more here
Published January 24, 2013
FoxNews.com
A Vietnam veteran in Chicago is being credited for saving a 4-year-old girl's life after she caught fire in her bed.
"I believe that she was being sheltered by God already," Clyde Harden, 55, a disabled veteran, told The Chicago Tribune. "Somebody was there for her."
Harden was alerted to the Wednesday night fire after he heard his neighbor yell, "my sister's on fire," The Sun-Times Media Wire reported. He rushed to the girl's apartment and used a towel to smother the flames. He said the girl appeared to be badly burned and in shock.
"She was crying and she put her head on my shoulder," he said. "It's scary because the burns were so severe," he said, according to the wire. At that time, another neighbor poured water on the flaming mattress.
read more here
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Police use taser on man trying to fight fire
Strange news day for Florida, another off topic report
Florida cops tase man for trying to put out fire on his own house
Published: 14 November, 2012
After a Florida man picked up a garden hose to try to extinguish a fire that engulfed his neighbor’s house in flames, he was brutally tasered by police in front of his two children.
After laying in a puddle while the electricity surged through his body, 42-year-old Daniel Jensen is now emotionally distraught from the experience. He recounted the incident to a WTSP News reporter with tears in his eyes and a cracking voice.
“It was horrible. I was laying in a puddle of water being electrocuted,” he said. “And here’s the people trying to protect us. And I’m trying to protect my family and neighbors and they’re the ones that are bringing harm to me. I don’t understand it.”
Jensen and his wife, residents of Pinellas Park, woke up from a nap at 6 p.m. on Nov. 8 to the sound of an immense fire engulfing their neighbor’s house. Grabbing his fire extinguisher, the husband and father of two ran outside in his underwear and sprayed it at the flames that were engulfing the home. The flames had already reached the fence that separated the two houses and the wind was blowing them towards the corner of Jensen’s home.
read more here
Friday, October 12, 2012
UK Iraq veteran's family says fire was cry for help with PTSD
Family of Garrard County Fire Victim Believes Fire Could Have Been Prevented
Posted: Oct 11, 2012
The family of the victim of a suspicious house fire in Garrard County says they believe Damien Heath Mullins set fire to the house himself, as a cry for help.
Mullins is listed in critical condition at UK Hospital Thursday night. His sister, Venetta Mullins, says the 37-year-old Army veteran was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and never got the continuous help he needed.
From the outside, the house on Cleo Drive still looks like a dream house. But inside, the burned piano and a hole burnt in the floor, tell a different story. A story, investigators say, that points to arson.
Damien Mullins' wife and sister say the loving father and husband, a veteran who served in Iraq in 2006 and 2007, had PTSD and other mental health issues.
"He has a lot of anger and sadness inside of him from serving, and can't seem to let it go. I just pray that people can see this, and you know it's time to really pull together," says Venetta Mullins, Damien Mullins' sister.
She believes the fire could have been prevented. She says her brother made a suicidal post on facebook two weeks ago.
read more here
Posted: Oct 11, 2012
The family of the victim of a suspicious house fire in Garrard County says they believe Damien Heath Mullins set fire to the house himself, as a cry for help.
Mullins is listed in critical condition at UK Hospital Thursday night. His sister, Venetta Mullins, says the 37-year-old Army veteran was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and never got the continuous help he needed.
From the outside, the house on Cleo Drive still looks like a dream house. But inside, the burned piano and a hole burnt in the floor, tell a different story. A story, investigators say, that points to arson.
Damien Mullins' wife and sister say the loving father and husband, a veteran who served in Iraq in 2006 and 2007, had PTSD and other mental health issues.
"He has a lot of anger and sadness inside of him from serving, and can't seem to let it go. I just pray that people can see this, and you know it's time to really pull together," says Venetta Mullins, Damien Mullins' sister.
She believes the fire could have been prevented. She says her brother made a suicidal post on facebook two weeks ago.
read more here
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Fort Hood families displaced by a fire last month get help
Killeen: Chick-Fil-A Helps 2 Families Displaced By Fire
KILLEEN (June 5, 2012)
Chick-Fil-A is hosting two nights of food and fun to help two Fort Hood families who were displaced by a fire last month.
At around midnight on May 25, a fire that broke out in a duplex displaced the families of two soldiers.
Friends say the Allen and Hattix families lost everything including their vehicles.
"While they have received all of the clothing and household good they can use right now, the Allen family only had liability on their car so they are not able to replace it," Comanche III Village Mayor Dana Welch said.
The loss of the vehicle cost one of the soldier’s wife’s her job because she couldn’t get to work, Welch said.
read more here
KILLEEN (June 5, 2012)
Chick-Fil-A is hosting two nights of food and fun to help two Fort Hood families who were displaced by a fire last month.
At around midnight on May 25, a fire that broke out in a duplex displaced the families of two soldiers.
Friends say the Allen and Hattix families lost everything including their vehicles.
"While they have received all of the clothing and household good they can use right now, the Allen family only had liability on their car so they are not able to replace it," Comanche III Village Mayor Dana Welch said.
The loss of the vehicle cost one of the soldier’s wife’s her job because she couldn’t get to work, Welch said.
read more here
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Fort Campbell soldier saves man and dog from house fire
Soldier saves local man, dog from house fire
Nick Spinelli
Fort Gordon Public Affairs
A Soldier assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, took time out of his recent visit to the Augusta area to save the life of a local resident.
While driving into town to visit his girlfriend March 23, Sgt. 1st Class Kelly John Barnes assisted Brandon Edwards in escaping his burning home.
“I decided to dive down overnight, so I turned on her street at around 2 a.m.,” Barnes said. “I called her to let her know I was in her neighborhood when I saw a glow through the tree line.”
According to Barnes, when he turned the corner he saw a house on fire. He told his girlfriend to call 9-1-1, then pulled over and went up to the house.
read more here
Nick Spinelli
Fort Gordon Public Affairs
A Soldier assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, took time out of his recent visit to the Augusta area to save the life of a local resident.
While driving into town to visit his girlfriend March 23, Sgt. 1st Class Kelly John Barnes assisted Brandon Edwards in escaping his burning home.
“I decided to dive down overnight, so I turned on her street at around 2 a.m.,” Barnes said. “I called her to let her know I was in her neighborhood when I saw a glow through the tree line.”
According to Barnes, when he turned the corner he saw a house on fire. He told his girlfriend to call 9-1-1, then pulled over and went up to the house.
read more here
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Fort Hood soldier and family left with nothing after devastating fire
Local military family left with nothing after devastating fire
Posted: March 9, 2012
By: Stephanie Jacksis
HARKER HEIGHTS - A Fort Hood soldier and his family barely managed to escape their burning home Monday. Left with nothing, their children, ages 3 and 5, are in desperate need of food and clothing.
Kevin Clark's family was sleeping, when their five-year-old son woke up choking on smoke.
"He has asthma and began hacking really bad," Kelly Clark said. "When I stepped down on the floor, I realized it was cracking so we had to hurry and get out of there."
The fire chief told Clark, if they'd left 30 seconds later, the tragic fire could have been deadly.
"Each one of my feet were falling through the floor as I was running," Mr. Clark said. "I dove down the stairs to get out as soon as possible, and as I turned around the whole upstairs collapsed."
Fortunately, no one was hurt, but the family is in dire need of living supplies.
"We have no clothes, no food, no money for rent," Mr. Clark said. "I can't specify enough when I say that we got out with just the clothes on our backs."
Even though Clark is a Fort Hood soldier, the family says they haven't received enough help.
read more here
Posted: March 9, 2012
By: Stephanie Jacksis
HARKER HEIGHTS - A Fort Hood soldier and his family barely managed to escape their burning home Monday. Left with nothing, their children, ages 3 and 5, are in desperate need of food and clothing.
Kevin Clark's family was sleeping, when their five-year-old son woke up choking on smoke.
"He has asthma and began hacking really bad," Kelly Clark said. "When I stepped down on the floor, I realized it was cracking so we had to hurry and get out of there."
The fire chief told Clark, if they'd left 30 seconds later, the tragic fire could have been deadly.
"Each one of my feet were falling through the floor as I was running," Mr. Clark said. "I dove down the stairs to get out as soon as possible, and as I turned around the whole upstairs collapsed."
Fortunately, no one was hurt, but the family is in dire need of living supplies.
"We have no clothes, no food, no money for rent," Mr. Clark said. "I can't specify enough when I say that we got out with just the clothes on our backs."
Even though Clark is a Fort Hood soldier, the family says they haven't received enough help.
read more here
Fire Destroys Soldier's Home Days Before Deployment
Fire Destroys Soldier's Home Days Before Deployment
Marion Co. Family Of 6 On Mission To Rebuild
POSTED: 11:18 pm EST March 9, 2012
REDDICK, Fla. -- A Marion County solider who was just days away from deployment to Afghanistan lost nearly everything in a house fire.
Flames tore through Richard Leadingham's home in Reddick on Wednesday. He, his four children and his wife made it out safely. Now, there's an overwhelming support effort coming from the community.
The house fire destroyed the Leadingham family's home, and they don't have insurance. Adding to the heartache, the patriarch of the family leaves Saturday to serve overseas.
"(It's) tough, really tough," Linda Leadingham said. "Both of my kids' rooms are gone, and so is our bathroom. What the fire didn't damage, the smoke did."
Richard Leadingham is a U.S. Army Reserve serviceman. He said he salvaged his uniforms in the fire, and he'll need them. He joins his transportation unit in Jacksonville this weekend to head to Afghanistan.
The cargo specialist will be gone a year.
read more here
Marion Co. Family Of 6 On Mission To Rebuild
POSTED: 11:18 pm EST March 9, 2012
REDDICK, Fla. -- A Marion County solider who was just days away from deployment to Afghanistan lost nearly everything in a house fire.
Flames tore through Richard Leadingham's home in Reddick on Wednesday. He, his four children and his wife made it out safely. Now, there's an overwhelming support effort coming from the community.
The house fire destroyed the Leadingham family's home, and they don't have insurance. Adding to the heartache, the patriarch of the family leaves Saturday to serve overseas.
"(It's) tough, really tough," Linda Leadingham said. "Both of my kids' rooms are gone, and so is our bathroom. What the fire didn't damage, the smoke did."
Richard Leadingham is a U.S. Army Reserve serviceman. He said he salvaged his uniforms in the fire, and he'll need them. He joins his transportation unit in Jacksonville this weekend to head to Afghanistan.
The cargo specialist will be gone a year.
read more here
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Afghanistan Veteran's first call as firefighter lieutenant was to his own house
Community rallies to help veteran left homeless by fire
By Judy Simpson
Jericho, Vermont - January 20, 2012
The sign in front of Clark's Truck Center in Jericho says it all: asking for donations for a family whose home was destroyed by a fire Jan. 14. The home is owned by Travis and Becky Hale and their five children. All made it out safely. In an ironic twist, Travis is a member of the Underhill Jericho Fire Department. And so is Randy Clark, who owns the truck center.
"To have a fire at one of your own people's houses-- it's tough. Wish I did not do this, but anyway, so that is what we are doing, we are raising money for Travis and Becky. They are great people and trying to help them," Clark said.
Just days before the fire, Travis was elected as an officer for the volunteer department.
"Yeah, like I told a few people Tuesday night I was elected as a lieutenant, and Saturday I went to my first call at my own house. So definitely not what you expect when you join the fire department," Travis said.
His main concern was that his fellow firefighters were not injured battling a fire at his house.
read more here
By Judy Simpson
Jericho, Vermont - January 20, 2012
The sign in front of Clark's Truck Center in Jericho says it all: asking for donations for a family whose home was destroyed by a fire Jan. 14. The home is owned by Travis and Becky Hale and their five children. All made it out safely. In an ironic twist, Travis is a member of the Underhill Jericho Fire Department. And so is Randy Clark, who owns the truck center.
"To have a fire at one of your own people's houses-- it's tough. Wish I did not do this, but anyway, so that is what we are doing, we are raising money for Travis and Becky. They are great people and trying to help them," Clark said.
Just days before the fire, Travis was elected as an officer for the volunteer department.
"Yeah, like I told a few people Tuesday night I was elected as a lieutenant, and Saturday I went to my first call at my own house. So definitely not what you expect when you join the fire department," Travis said.
His main concern was that his fellow firefighters were not injured battling a fire at his house.
read more here
Friday, December 16, 2011
Family of fallen Marine loses house in fire
Fire damages home south of Four Corners
Posted: Wednesday, December 14, 2011
JASON BACAJ, Chronicle Staff Writer
A home south of Four Corners in the Elk Grove subdivision was heavily damaged by flame and smoke after it caught fire mid-morning Wednesday.
The Uzenski family was at the home at their 106 Vita Court and was alerted by the home’s smoke alarms around 10 a.m. The six family members went to a neighbor’s home while waiting for emergency personnel to arrive.
William Uzenski, the father, tried to get back in the house to save personal effects belonging to his deceased son Marine Cpl. Nicholas K. Uzenski, who was killed in Afghanistan Jan. 11, 2010.
Heavy smoke prevented Uzenski from re-entering the home. Firefighters recovered some property from the home, though they weren’t sure how much they were able to save as of Wednesday afternoon, said Kevin Lauer, battalion chief with Gallatin Gateway Rural Fire Department.
read more here
Posted: Wednesday, December 14, 2011
JASON BACAJ, Chronicle Staff Writer
A home south of Four Corners in the Elk Grove subdivision was heavily damaged by flame and smoke after it caught fire mid-morning Wednesday.
The Uzenski family was at the home at their 106 Vita Court and was alerted by the home’s smoke alarms around 10 a.m. The six family members went to a neighbor’s home while waiting for emergency personnel to arrive.
William Uzenski, the father, tried to get back in the house to save personal effects belonging to his deceased son Marine Cpl. Nicholas K. Uzenski, who was killed in Afghanistan Jan. 11, 2010.
Heavy smoke prevented Uzenski from re-entering the home. Firefighters recovered some property from the home, though they weren’t sure how much they were able to save as of Wednesday afternoon, said Kevin Lauer, battalion chief with Gallatin Gateway Rural Fire Department.
read more here
Monday, December 5, 2011
Iraq Veteran and Family Homeless After Fire
Veteran and Family Homeless After Fire
ORIENT-- A local soldier and his family are homeless after a fire gutted their home.
Mike Biggins looks at his home is disbelief.
The Army veteran just back from Iraq is having surgery on his wrist this week after getting hurt overseas.
But right now, he's got even bigger problems, he doesn't have a place to call home or even a warm coat.
"We lost everything." He told ABC 6 /FOX 28 reporter Chelby Kosto. "We got out with only the clothes on our back." Biggins said.
Biggin's wife, and four young children were able to escape the fire, but 2 of their pets didn't make it.
red more here
ORIENT-- A local soldier and his family are homeless after a fire gutted their home.
Mike Biggins looks at his home is disbelief.
The Army veteran just back from Iraq is having surgery on his wrist this week after getting hurt overseas.
But right now, he's got even bigger problems, he doesn't have a place to call home or even a warm coat.
"We lost everything." He told ABC 6 /FOX 28 reporter Chelby Kosto. "We got out with only the clothes on our back." Biggins said.
Biggin's wife, and four young children were able to escape the fire, but 2 of their pets didn't make it.
red more here
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Community Rallies for Iraq Veteran Who Lost Home to Fire
Community Rallies for Iraq Veteran Who Lost Home to Fire
Updated: Dec 03, 2011
A local Iraq war veteran is thanking his community after his neighbors and friends donated thousands of dollars' worth of household goods to get his family back on their feet.
Kyle Betts, his girlfriend, and her three kids lost the Oconto home they were living in to a fire in early November. It happened on the morning of November 7.
Betts and his girlfriend Tina Rigdon stood outside as the house went up in flames.
"I went downstairs and opened the front door, and all I saw was orange coming off the porch -- was just completely orange 'cause of the fire," Betts said.
They escaped the fire without harm, but with only the clothes they were wearing at the time.
"We didn't have anything. We didn't have anywhere to go, we didn't have money put together," Rigdon said.
Right away, the American Red Cross provided them with a motel room.
Donations started coming in.
read more here
Original report
Green Bay Iraq Veterans family lost everything
Updated: Dec 03, 2011
A local Iraq war veteran is thanking his community after his neighbors and friends donated thousands of dollars' worth of household goods to get his family back on their feet.
Kyle Betts, his girlfriend, and her three kids lost the Oconto home they were living in to a fire in early November. It happened on the morning of November 7.
Betts and his girlfriend Tina Rigdon stood outside as the house went up in flames.
"I went downstairs and opened the front door, and all I saw was orange coming off the porch -- was just completely orange 'cause of the fire," Betts said.
They escaped the fire without harm, but with only the clothes they were wearing at the time.
"We didn't have anything. We didn't have anywhere to go, we didn't have money put together," Rigdon said.
Right away, the American Red Cross provided them with a motel room.
Donations started coming in.
read more here
Original report
Green Bay Iraq Veterans family lost everything
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Green Bay Iraq War veteran's family lost home in fire
Donations sought for Kyle Betts family of Lena
Iraq War veteran's family lost home in fire
7:32 AM, Dec. 3, 2011
Written by
Paul Srubas
Green Bay Press-Gazette
A drive is under way to collect household items for the family of an Iraq War veteran burned out of its home near Lena two weeks ago.
Until this weekend, the family of Kyle Betts had been living in a hotel since an early-morning fire damaged their home. They have since moved into a duplex in Oconto Falls, but they have no furniture, food, kitchen utensils or extra clothing, according to Mark Bonovetz, who is spearheading the drive for the Desert Veterans of Wisconsin.
A veterans advocate working with the family contacted the veterans group, Bonvetz said.
read more here
Iraq War veteran's family lost home in fire
7:32 AM, Dec. 3, 2011
Written by
Paul Srubas
Green Bay Press-Gazette
A drive is under way to collect household items for the family of an Iraq War veteran burned out of its home near Lena two weeks ago.
Until this weekend, the family of Kyle Betts had been living in a hotel since an early-morning fire damaged their home. They have since moved into a duplex in Oconto Falls, but they have no furniture, food, kitchen utensils or extra clothing, according to Mark Bonovetz, who is spearheading the drive for the Desert Veterans of Wisconsin.
A veterans advocate working with the family contacted the veterans group, Bonvetz said.
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Thursday, September 22, 2011
Families still waiting for National Guard to cover damages from fire
Herriman fire victims still awaiting payment one year later
BY KATIE DRAKE
The Salt Lake Tribune
First published Sep 21 2011
Robin Smugala still has the picture of her scorched, smoking home taken exactly one year ago, a damaged but still-standing victim of the fire that wreaked havoc on the Herriman hillsides.
While repairs on the home are almost complete, the couple is one of many still waiting for the National Guard to pay for the damage. The fire was sparked during a live-fire training exercise at the Army’s Camp Williams, on the southern side of the mountain.
Herriman residents have filed roughly 1,300 claims since the fire, and the Army has paid out about $4.3 million to cover the damage. But as of Wednesday, 34 claims remain open, leaving families like the Smugalas wondering if the Army National Guard will honor its promise to put things right.
read more here
BY KATIE DRAKE
The Salt Lake Tribune
First published Sep 21 2011
Robin Smugala still has the picture of her scorched, smoking home taken exactly one year ago, a damaged but still-standing victim of the fire that wreaked havoc on the Herriman hillsides.
While repairs on the home are almost complete, the couple is one of many still waiting for the National Guard to pay for the damage. The fire was sparked during a live-fire training exercise at the Army’s Camp Williams, on the southern side of the mountain.
Herriman residents have filed roughly 1,300 claims since the fire, and the Army has paid out about $4.3 million to cover the damage. But as of Wednesday, 34 claims remain open, leaving families like the Smugalas wondering if the Army National Guard will honor its promise to put things right.
read more here
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Fort Hood female soldier saves baby from burning house
More Than 100 Firefighters Battle Major Fire, Soldier Rescues Baby From Home
Killeen firefighters battled a fire that consumed two houses on the north side of the city.
Reporter: Josh Wucher and Megan Snipes
KILLEEN (August 3, 2011)—Firefighters battled a major structure fire in Killeen near Fort Hood that consumed two houses.
The fire started as a house fire around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday on the 700 block of Northside Dr., but spread to Fort Hood.
A home was fully engulfed, and the fire spread to another home.
Three garages, three sheds, two cars, two boats, and a trailer were also destroyed by the fire.
Firefighters from Killeen, Harker Heights and Fort Hood were at the scene.
Fire departments from Southwest Bell County, Central Bell County, Temple and Copperas Cove also helped.
Before some firefighters arrived on the scene, a Fort Hood soldier sprung into action.
Army Pvt. Denae Jensen kicked down the door of a home and saved two puppies. She then ran into another burning home and saved a baby that was in the crib. The mother of the child was gathering their belongings at the time of the rescue.
read more here
Soldier Rescues Baby From Home
Killeen firefighters battled a fire that consumed two houses on the north side of the city.
Reporter: Josh Wucher and Megan Snipes
KILLEEN (August 3, 2011)—Firefighters battled a major structure fire in Killeen near Fort Hood that consumed two houses.
The fire started as a house fire around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday on the 700 block of Northside Dr., but spread to Fort Hood.
A home was fully engulfed, and the fire spread to another home.
Three garages, three sheds, two cars, two boats, and a trailer were also destroyed by the fire.
Firefighters from Killeen, Harker Heights and Fort Hood were at the scene.
Fire departments from Southwest Bell County, Central Bell County, Temple and Copperas Cove also helped.
Before some firefighters arrived on the scene, a Fort Hood soldier sprung into action.
Army Pvt. Denae Jensen kicked down the door of a home and saved two puppies. She then ran into another burning home and saved a baby that was in the crib. The mother of the child was gathering their belongings at the time of the rescue.
read more here
Soldier Rescues Baby From Home
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