AMERICUS — An Americus family is homeless tonight after a fire late this afternoon destroyed their home.
Vicki Ross was home with her two sons, 10-year-old Tyler and 5-year-old Aaron, when they discovered the fire.
“Smoke kept coming up from the basement,” she said. “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.
Meanwhile, Vicki Ross tried to get back into the house across the street from Jones Park.
“I knew Tyler’s basketball stuff was just inside the door,” she said. “I grabbed it and his shoes and that was it. I couldn’t go back in.”
The fire spread quickly.
The Americus Fire Department volunteers responded and requested mutual aid from Emporia Fire Department around 4:45 p.m., according to Acting Office Bill Harmon of EFD. The Emporia department sent five firefighters and two trucks.
“When we arrived on scene,” Harmon said, “the house was fully involved.”
Emporia placed its two units in place to protect neighboring properties from exposure
“Shortly after we arrived on scene, the roof was already collapsing in.”
As she stood on the street corner south of the smoldering ruins of the house in which her family had lived for nine years, Vicki Ross fought back tears and decided she had plenty to be thankful for.
First, no one was hurt. Mike Ross was at work at Emporia Motors when the fire started. Vicki Ross had come home early from work because Aaron was sick and had to be picked up from daycare. That meant she was home when Tyler arrived from school. He’s in fifth grade at Americus Elementary School.
Second, the fire didn’t spread to Mike’s shop and his tools and racing equipment.
Third, the family has insurance and had recently evaluated their needs and coverage.
As Vicki Ross talked, neighbors, family and friends rallied to their aid. Some offered shelter for the family and others asked about other needs. The entire family needs clothing.
Vicki Ross said that Tyler wears size 12-14 and prefers sweat pants over jeans. Aaron fits into 5T clothes and prefers jeans rather than sweats. Mike wears size 30 jeans and medium shirts.
School officials said after the fire that clothing donations can be brought to Americus School. There is no word yet what other collection drives may occur.
Today’s fire was the second in Americus in just more than a month. Delbert and Ethel Swift lost their house in a fire on Christmas morning.
barefootin (anonymous) says...
I hope the family can get back on their feet okay, remember the most important things were saved, themselves. Good Luck.
January 29, 2009 at 9:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rmbcollege (anonymous) says...
It is very good to know that no one was hurt in the fire. We are all very thankful to hear that. Our thoughts and prayers go out of this family in their time of need.
January 30, 2009 at 12:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nutsaboutools (anonymous) says...
Mike has always taken great care of my truck. I hope we can return the favor and help him & his family. Our prayers are with you & your family, Mike. If you still need clothes, we might be able to help (we have 6 children, ranging from 7 to 18 yrs). Our e-mail address is dranalli@att.net.
January 30, 2009 at 11:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )