Fire appears electrical
Local Red Cross low on money to help fire victimsBy Brad Bauer, bbauer@mariettatimes.com
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How to help:
American Red Cross: 373-0281.
An electrical problem in a laundry room is suspected of sparking a Wednesday morning fire that destroyed a Highland Ridge Road residence, fire officials said.
Other than a few charred wall studs and a small section of an outer wall, the house was completely consumed by the 1 a.m. blaze.
The two-bedroom, single-story home, located at 4040 Highland Ridge Road, was owned by David and Patricia Matthews.
Fire officials said the family did not have insurance. The Washington County Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting the couple.
"We put a good attack on it," said Salem Township Volunteer Fire Chief Jay Handschumaker. "There's just about as much standing there now as there was when we got there."
Handschumaker said flames were coming out of every window of the home when firefighters arrived.
"We put 26,000 gallons of water on the fire - roughly 13 tanker loads, plus the 2,500 gallons we had on the trucks when we got there," he said.
In addition to Salem, volunteer firefighters from Devola, Fearing and Lowell helped battle the blaze.
Handschumaker said the couple was alerted to the fire by their pet Rottweiler, which is thought to have died in the fire.
"I believe the dog ran back into the house," Handschumaker said. "We didn't find her, but we couldn't search the whole house. I'm not sure if she made it or not."
Patricia Matthews declined to comment Wednesday morning.
Jo Seyler, director of the local Red Cross chapter, said the Matthewses are temporarily staying with family members.
"We have helped them with their other immediate needs, which include clothing and food," Seyler said. "It is enough to cover them for 24 to 48 hours. After that, they'll come back and we'll talk about a recovery plan."
Seyler said the local chapter has assisted fire departments and fire victims five times in the past three weeks. Fire assistance funds are running low and any help from the public would be greatly appreciated, she said.
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Agteacher
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07-31-08 7:32 PM
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As a fellow community member, I am supportive in the reconstruction of Matthew’s family home. In stating that, I do not believe that it is fair to criticize any individuals’ personal judgments that may not be directly understood. Hence our inalienable rights. One day you may be the person who has had a life-changing event, good or bad, and may need support from your community. If your casting judgment now, are they going to be there for support in your time of need? With that, best of luck to the family and I personally plan to support then in any way that I can.
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troyinohio
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07-19-08 10:32 AM
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(I don't know why it posted that way!) It wasn't like that when I hit enter. I wrote, I appreciate your compassion.
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troyinohio
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07-19-08 10:31 AM
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Melissa, I do appreciate you compassion compassion though.
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troyinohio
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07-19-08 10:29 AM
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I said I feel for the family, so no, not inconsiderate. Reality bites. It cost more to feed and care for a big dog than to insure that place. Life is about decisions. Decisions have consequences. I was speaking to all who are reading that may be doing the same thing. Cover your assets. Get ins. Most insurance companies won't give a policy with a Rot. They are classed the same as pit bulls. If you choose to have one and not insurance, reality may just bit you all. Again this is directed to the general public, not the burned out family even though this could have been prevented.
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Melissa
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07-17-08 4:24 PM
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How can anyone make a comment about not having insurance in todays life? Are you crazy???? I am sure this family would have had the necessary means if possible. How inconsiderate of you!
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brandon24
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07-17-08 4:14 PM
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that os a very smart dog i love dog like that r so smart i go to church right across the street and it looked really bad from what i could see from the chruch
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troyinohio
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07-17-08 3:22 PM
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Why would you not have insurance? That is just unheard of today? Especially with a Rottweiler, the liability is so great. I feel for the family, but this was a disaster in the making. Everyone needs to learn from this.
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XXOOXX
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07-17-08 2:49 PM
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What a shame - I'll miss the dog she was a hero!
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living
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07-17-08 1:25 PM
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Thank goodness for the Red Cross. Please support the local, Wash County Red Cross efforts...they help our Washington County people in times of need such as this. With out support, the Red Cross wouldn't be here.
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Nikizimm
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07-17-08 9:55 AM
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THIS IS AWFUL, BUT HERE IS THE PROBLEM, MY RELATIVES LIVE BESIDE THIS HOUSE AND MADE THE 911 CALL AND THE OPERATOR INSTEAD OF DISPATCHING HELP KEPT ASKING MY COUSIN QUESTIONS THAT WERE IRRELAVENT TO BEING ABLE TO MAKE THE DISPATCH CALL. AFTER TELLING THEM THE ADD AND THAT THE HOUSE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES THEY PROCEEDED TO ASK 100 QUESTIONGS, FINALLY AFTER SERVERAL MINUTES OF THIS THEY GOT ANGRY AND YELLED AND TOLD THEM JUST TO DISPATCH HELP. MAYBE IF HELP WOULD HAVE BEEN DISPATCHED A LITTLE MORE QUICKLY SOMETHING COULD HAVE BEEN SALVAGED, MAYBE EVEN THE POOR PET THAT ALERTED THEM. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY AND I WISH THEM LUCK.
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