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Updated: 5:52 PM Jun 9, 2009
Quenemo Family Loses Home in Fire
A Quenemo family is piecing their life back together after losing everything in a fire late Monday night. Posted: 5:30 PM Jun 9, 2009Reporter: Rae Chelle Davis Email Address: RaeChelle.Davis@wibw.com |
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Quenemo, KS (WIBW) - Tears run down the cheeks of Cynthea Smith's face as she thinks about her daughters' situation.
"It was just all gone. You could tell. It was gone. It breaks my heart, you know, that's my kids' home," said Smith.
Smith's three daughters, 16 year-old Amber, 14 year-old Autumn, and 9 year-old Allison live with their grandmother Carolyn Willingham. Around 10:45 Monday night Autumn Willingham was cleaning her room while Carolyn and a friend played Yahtzee near the kitchen. That is when they all say they heard a loud pop.
"The fire alarms were going off and my grandma's whole bedroom was up in flames," said Autumn Willingham.
Everyone rushed out of the home just before it became fully engulfed in flames. The Willingham's small dog did not escape the blaze.
Volunteer Firefighters from Quenemo and surrounding areas battled the fire until 3:00 Tuesday morning. They declared the home a total loss.
The girls' clothes are ruined, their toys are almost unrecognizable. They have no beds, no books, no pictures, and Autumn lost her father's jacket. He passed away when she was just nine months old.
The American Red Cross offered their assistance but the family knows it will be a long time before they have another home.
You can help the Willingham's. Here is how:
At 10:37 Tuesday night we were paged out for a structure fire in town. Upon arrival the trailer house was fully engulfed. Thankfully all the occupants were out of the home. Though they have a place to stay they have lost everything they own. The family consists of a grandmother and three young granddaughters. If you would like to help the family out you can e-mail Melissa at ms722@quenemoagencytwpfire.com.
Needs -
Grandmother - Tops Large, Pants 7/8, Shoes 7, undergarments, personal hygine products
16 Year Old Granddaughter - Tops 2-3x, Pants 22, Shoes 7-8. undergarments, personal hygine products
14 Year Old Granddaughter - Tops 1-2X, Pants 18, Shoes 8 1/2 - 9, undergarments, personal hygine products
9 Year Old Granddaughter - Tops Ladies Medium, Pants Girls 12 Husky, Shoes Ladies 5, undergarments, personal hygine products
Household items
A fund has been set up for the family at Pomona State Bank.
This information can also be found at http://quenemoagencytwpfire.com/fire_information.html
Latest Comments
Anthony- Have you been contacted by anyone yet? This is my grandmother's home and she is trying to get ahold of you- but does not have a number. Please contact me @ Ashley.Sheppard@aloric.net Thank you and God Bless you Please keep my grandmother and cousins in your prayers
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I feel so horrible to see this happen to my best friend. One of Cindy's daughters Autumn is in my class and we've been close ever since we've met. It's hard to see everything that she held dear just come crashing down.
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I LIVE ACCROSS FORM THESE PEOPLE. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW HEART WRENCHING IT ISNTON SET AND WATCH SOME ONES HOME BURN ANND NOT BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING. IT WAS TERRIBLE. THOSE KIDS AND GRAND MOTHER SURE NEED ALL THE HELP ANYONE CAN GIVE. THEY TRY VERY HARD TO MAKE DO ON THEIR OWN. NOW THEY DO NOT HAVE A THING. GOD BE WITH THEM
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