Family homeless after fire
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RONAN – Less than an hour after excitedly ripping open presents and celebrating a happy Christmas morning, a candle and a bit of leftover gift wrap sparked a fire that left a Ronan family homeless.
Lisa Rice said her 8-year-old son Brett woke her up around 9 a.m. to tell her their home was on fire.
“I fell asleep after he opened his Christmas gifts,” Rice said. “He said ‘Mom, you have to get up. The house is on fire. We have to get out.’ So I just stood there and sort of stared at the flames. We went to his bedroom window and got out.”
Rice and her son made it to safety, but the family cat, Pretty Girl, was not so lucky. Rice was told that the feline was unresponsive when Ronan Volunteer firefighters found her in the house, but the cat was miraculously resuscitated.
The flames were contained to the living room of the home, but due to smoke and water damage, the family lost virtually everything. Her son was expected to live with his father during the weekend, but Rice was left without a place to go, at least until Tuesday, when Ronan Housing could process her case. Friends offered her places to stay until then.
Judy DuMont and Sherry Matt stepped up to coordinate help for Rice, who was without a cell phone as of Saturday. The pair posted to Lake County Facebook groups and asked for household items, size 14 ladies’ pants, large or extra-large blouses, and size eight or nine ladies’ shoes. Gift cards, boys’ size eight or nine shirts, boys’ size ten or size medium pants, and boys’ size four shoes, and toys are also appreciated, DuMont said.
“We need pretty much everything,” Rice said.
DuMont volunteered to pick up items and store them in a storage shed until Rice can find a new home, because she does not have transportation of her own. DuMont, who has a one-month-old daughter, said she will do her best to pick the items up as her schedule allows, but if a volunteer with a pickup truck is able to donate their time to help move items, it would be helpful. DuMont does not have transportation capable of moving larger items.
“You can always pay it forward,” DuMont said.
To give items or time to help the family call DuMont at (406) 249-4227.
