AMERICUS
For the Ross family, whose house burned to the ground in January, life before the fire can be quantified in a small towel of coins, rings and other valuables. It’s all they had left.
The family lost its home to a fire on a crisp afternoon in late January. Vicki Ross was home with her two sons, 11-year-old Tyler and 5-year-old Aaron, when they discovered the fire.
“Smoke kept coming up from the basement,” she said in January. “I tried to open the door and the light wouldn’t turn on.”
The home’s smoke detectors were blaring, she said, and she sent the boys to a neighbor’s house, telling Tyler to call 911. The fire spread through the home quickly, burning it to the ground. The family was able to salvage a small pile of coins and a few valuables — a pile they keep wrapped in a towel.
Saturday afternoon, the Rosses reflected on that day and the days and weeks immediately following the fire. The family is grateful for all the help they received the night of the fire and the weeks after the fire. While their home was burning, neighbors in Americus rallied around the family, asking what they needed and what size clothing everybody wore.
“I think the night of the fire everybody in Americus came to see if we were OK,” Mike Ross said.
The family can see where their home used to stand from the backyard of the home they are renting temporarily. A tree stands charred from the fire in the yard of their former home. The rest of the lot is bare.
The Rosses hope to rebuild their lives after the new home comes in. Some pictures lost can be replaced by the grace of technology and the ability to copy from family members and daycare providers.
Following the fire, the Rosses found themselves with absolutely nothing. When people would ask them what they needed, they would reply “everything.” The family had to start from scratch.
“In life it’s not often you get to start from scratch,” Mike Ross said.
Everything in the rental house the Rosses are staying in was donated. They received a television, furniture, three beds, VCR-DVD players, microwave oven, towels, dishes, clothing, bed linens and money to help them get back on their feet. Fundraisers were held at businesses in the area. People from all over the state donated to the family.
“The clothes I have on today were donated to me,” Mike Ross said. “We have closets full of clothes.”
When Tyler went to school the day after the fire, the school had rallied together and donated items including all the books and school supplies he needed.
“The outpouring of support that we have received has really been overwhelming,” Ross said.
Vicki Ross said her place of employment has been supportive as well with gift cards. Mike Ross’ work also donated money and items. One person in Americus donated $500 to the family.
“You just kinda gotta step back and say thank you,” Mike Ross said. “It’s just phenomenal.”
The Rosses were lucky they had insurance, but they still had to start completely over.
“If we didn’t have insurance this would be a whole different story,” Ross said.
They plan to put a home on the same site but it’s going slower than anticipated. The family hopes to be in the new home by June 1.
“We’re dealing with the elements of nature,” Tyler said Saturday with a slight smile.