AMERICUS — A simple outdoor chore destroyed a family’s home late Thursday afternoon.
Vicki Ross said a sick child brought her home early from work, so she decided to take advantage of nice weather to burn some leaves along the chainlink fence behind the family’s home at 306 Third St. in Americus.
According to the report at the sheriff’s office, the fire moved across the narrow back lawn toward the house, and Vicki Ross put it out. When she went back inside where her two children — 10-year-old Tyler and 5-year-old Aaron — were, she smelled smoke. That was around 4 p.m.
Authorities said this mornng that a spark from the burning leaves got into the home’s siding and smoldered. Meanwhile, Vicki Ross continued to investigate the smoke smell inside the house and eventually discovered smoke in the basement.
“Smoke kept coming up from the basement,” she said Thursday. “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.”
When the fire erupted, flames could be seen above houses, witnesses said. The smoke cloud could be seen in northwest Emporia. 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 engines.
“When we arrived on scene,” Harmon said, “the house was fully involved.”
Emporia placed its two units in position to protect neighboring properties from exposure
“Shortly after we arrived on scene, the roof was already collapsing in.”
By 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Mike and Vicki Ross were left to watch firefiguters work to control hot spots in the rubble that was their home. Mike Ross talked to the investigators while Vicki Ross found herself surrounded by neighbors, family and friends.
Some offered shelter for the family and others asked about immediate 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.
Thursday’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.
grcbrad61 (anonymous) says...
Me and my wife receintly bought a house in Americus and relocated from Council Grove. Being first time home buyers and starting our life together here, we both realized the devastation as we witnessed this fire. Our hearts went out to the Ross's as we held each other tightly. Wow, try to imagine losing it all so quickly and being helpless, You couldn't imagine. Our prayers are with you.
February 3, 2009 at 10:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )