Quenemo Family Loses Home in Fire
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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, 2009
Reporter: 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

Posted by: Autumn Location: kansas on Dec 31, 2009 at 08:48 PM

we would like to thankyou all we are all back in our home and we all have nice things because of yall... thankyou for helping us out... it was a horrible loss for us but we are back on our feet...
Posted by: Ashley Location: Topeka on Jun 11, 2009 at 05:19 PM

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
Posted by: Anna Location: Melvern on Jun 11, 2009 at 01:50 PM

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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