Author Topic: Matt lost EVERYTHING in a home fire this morning. (Read 2883 times)

Mitch in MI · « **Reply #30 on:** September 30, 2007, 02:06:51 PM »

Does Heather shop at JC Penney or Kohl's, or more to the point, would she buy clothes, linens or kitchen utensils there if somebody sent her some gift cards?

Graybeard · « **Reply #31 on:** September 30, 2007, 03:26:58 PM »

You guys have been great so far. The response has been terrific via paypal and I'm not sure what might be coming via checks/money orders. For sure it's gonna help them get back on their feet and hopefully get into another home soon.

For now they are staying at my brother-in-law's daughter's place just down the road from him. They are on the road traveling and working so won't be back for 2-3 weeks. That gives Matt and Heather a bit of breathing room to work with until they have to find where they will move into.

We've been over there most all afternoon helping get what is salvageable out and there was some, not a lot but some. More clothes survived than at first expected. The downstairs area for the most part got only water damage and smoke. The back porch, kitchen and his office were totally wiped out really. I have some photos I'll try to get up tomorrow but I'm just too beat to do it tonight.

The living room was the room most remote from the actual flames upstairs and the damage there was quite amazing. A wall switch plate just melted, the laminate on the ceiling fan cooked off, plastic curtain hangers melted. Flames completely engulfed the hallway.

From what can be told it started out on the back porch. Why we still don't know. The firemen decided to call it an electrical wiring related fire as no accelerant was detectable. But the next door neighbor who called it in said when she first saw it there were only a few flames at one corner of the porch. She stepped inside to get a cordless phone and when she stepped back to her porch the entire back end of house was in flames. That's might fast but it was dry wood so I dunno. At this point why is moot as it's done.

Matt and my B-I-L Jimmy are there now boarding up the burned out area of the kitchen to protect whatever is left inside that might can be salvaged. Anything downstairs not ruined by water or smoke damage might be saved. That's where the bedrooms were so some bedroom furniture should be useable we think and the clothes that were there if smoke can be cleaned should be OK. Upstairs not much was left.

All but the new grandson were downstairs when the fire broke out. He had gone to sleep in the living room and they left him and took the baby monitor with them. They heard an explosion and shook the house. (don't ask me we have no clue what it was) and went to check on the oldest two. As he was leaving their bedroom he heard strange crackling and popping sounds and went upstairs. The back porch was fully in flame and smoke was filling the upstairs. He got the baby and took him to Heather and told her to get the kids out the house was on fire. She took them out the front door. Matt went back in for the baby's diaper back and his computer. He ripped it out jerking/breaking wires doing all he could to save those all important hard drives. He almost got burned up in the process as he had to go back out past a fully engulfed hallway to get to the only exit at the front door open to him. There was no chance of another return and even that one was almost one too many.

The new server that was upstairs loaded and ready to ship when the rest of RAM arrives on Monday we just have no clue the status of. It got very wet but may or may not have otherwise been damaged. The other one was downstairs and is likely OK. We'll know in a few days when he has them all dried out and can test them. No clue the damage to his main computer but hopefully at least the HDs will be OK and if so he can rebuild from there.

I'm sure Matt or Heather or both will be on later either tonight or tomorrow to update you. Both are exhausted now and likely will crash for awhile soon.

Jal5 · « **Reply #32 on:** September 30, 2007, 03:28:11 PM »

Matt thank God you and your family are safe, things can be replaced. A check is on the way plus I will see what we can do about clothes. Hang in there.
Joe

Graybeard · « **Reply #33 on:** September 30, 2007, 03:29:18 PM »

Quote from: Mitch in MI on September 30, 2007, 02:06:51 PM

Does Heather shop at JC Penney or Kohl's, or more to the point, would she buy clothes, linens or kitchen utensils there if somebody sent her some gift cards?

There is a JC Penney store locally but as far as I know there are no Kohl's in this area or at least I've never heard of them here.

Matt and/or Heather will be on either later tonight or tomorrow and will be the ones to respond to this more properly.

30-06man · « **Reply #34 on:** September 30, 2007, 03:47:07 PM »

about the server up stairs a while back my laptop got soaked my sister took it to the pool and half sank it. as soon as i found out i opened it up and used a air compressor to blow it all dry. if you can or if Matt can you can go and try to blow all excess water out. as far as that i left it out side for days and it finished drying out and works fine other than some dis coloration in the screen. it may or may not work.

Graybeard · « **Reply #35 on:** September 30, 2007, 04:11:14 PM »

Matt will know proper care. The big IF on it tho is that it was in his office but was at floor level. Some of the stuff at floor level looked OK outside at least but we've not opened any of it to see what the inside looks like. Some of the stuff even on the floor just flat melted.

I'm gonna try to attach some photos here. I've not given them URLs yet but I think I can attach them here.

Looks like it worked. First is Matt's desk. Next is his keyboard up closer and the last is the view from the pool area of the back porch or what USED to be the back porch where the fire began.

handirifle · « **Reply #36 on:** September 30, 2007, 05:07:05 PM »

GB and Matt, donation sent. May God bless and get you through this. Glad tha family's OK.

fish280 · « **Reply #37 on:** October 01, 2007, 04:36:54 AM »

mercy. will see what i can do.
Joshua 1:9.

d_hiker · « **Reply #38 on:** October 01, 2007, 06:30:16 AM »

I am glad that everyone was able to get out safe. Fires happen so fast. I sent via the Donate button at the bottom of the page what I am able at the time. Our prayers are with your family.

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #39 on:** October 01, 2007, 07:43:22 AM »

I don't do pay pal but I'll get something out ASAP via USPS. Sorry to hear about the fire. My wife always says if you can buy it at Wal Mart it's not lost. I'm sure that doesn't cover the coveted family items like pictures of the kids and such.

The Salvation Army and the American Red Cross both have plans to help people involved in house fires. Don't forget them.

You're in our prayers here.

Rusty <><

NONYA · « **Reply #40 on:** October 01, 2007, 07:47:15 AM »

I cant believe your luck Matt,both the good and the bad,someone is definitely looking over you and your family.Prayers sent via G-Mail!

Matt · « **Reply #41 on:** October 01, 2007, 08:48:18 AM »

You guys are great.... I always thought that we had the greatest bunch of folks on the net here at GBO and now I know we do.

The donation that have been given via paypal will go a long way in helping us to get a back on our feet.

As to the cloths we can still use what we can get for we have yet to get the smoke smell out of the ones we have washed. We have been given a few remedies that may help but we will just have to wait and see.

So many of you have helped and are still helping and for this I am grateful and forever in your debit. Many have gone way beyond what I ever thought possible but it warms my heart to know that total strangers can come together and help someone in a time of need. I really thought that most people had forgotten what compassion was but as I said I am glad to see it is alive and well here at GBO.

I am having to borrow computers at this time so I will not be online much for the next few days but I hope to have my system rebuilt and back up very soon.

Again from the bottom of our hearts we send grateful thank yous to everyone who has helped and commented.

Matt, Heather and Family.

handi243 · « **Reply #42 on:** October 01, 2007, 09:27:03 AM »

Matt try some Sent killer you get at the Walmart in sporting goods i know it will get smoke smell off your hands it may work? You may put some in with the spin cycle just some thoughts GOD BLESS!!!!!

Graybeard · « **Reply #43 on:** October 01, 2007, 09:33:43 AM »

Scent Killer sprays are really nothing but a baking soda water solution.

tutti confuso · « **Reply #44 on:** October 01, 2007, 10:18:22 AM »

Matt... i can only feel a small amount of the pain... at least i had a chance to sell my house , do to 9/11...
you'll get through it , it will takw a while...you may even find a new life style as we did // best wishes to you an family

Lord help me to remember that nothing
is going to happen to me today that
you an I together can't handle.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love
that has been given to you.

Rich G,.....

darat100 · « **Reply #45 on:** October 01, 2007, 10:35:05 AM »

Matt

For the clothing, you are going to have to use a detergent that has SMG in it. TIDE has it. I know there are a few others out there that do, not sure what they are are. TIDE is the one we use. Also, there is a product called HYDROCIDE. It is a nuetralizer. It is the best one we have found. Use it in every fire we clean up. Also, you can get a very inexpensive deodorant call banish at most any paint store. It will go a long way toward helping.

Good luck. You CAN get the odor out of the clothes. It will definately come out, you just have to take the right steps.

Feel free to email me or pm if you need any other help. This is what I do for a living. They can be quite intimidating until you learn how to deal with it, but it is possible to clean a lot of your stuff.

Matt · « **Reply #46 on:** October 01, 2007, 01:32:35 PM »

Thanks for all the suggestions... we have so far been using baking soda and something called odor nox or something. this has seemed to work on the cloths that got wet which were downstairs. the problem we have found today is that everything upstairs is falling apart after washing, seems the heat caused the fabric to weaken significantly. All towels wash cloths and such are a total loss. The baby's cloths are also a loss as they were in the laundry room upstairs. Donations of cloths have been pouring in from everywhere so I am thinking that we may be ok on them but we have not had a chance to go through them as of yet but I will post sizes for those who have extras to spare. Anything that we receive that we cant use will be donated the local churches who are helping us so that they may help some one else in need.

At this point we really still do not know what all was lost due to the devastation. At this point the computer issue is now more of a minor one than anything else due to the fact that I recently closed down my retail store and I still have lots of part and pieces that I should be able to put back together for my customers who lost theirs. I have a new motherboard for mine and from the looks of it all my drives work so data loss is limited to my external hard drives that I was unable to grab on my last trip back into the house. The monitors and printers are a total loss as well as keyboards mice and speakers but again these are all things that I have plenty of to replace all that were lost to the fire.

At this point we are still trying to come to terms with what has happen and the shock of it has really not hit us. I can never thank our GBO family for all that you have done and it is your kindness and compassion that has pulled us through this. I have to fight back tears every time I check the forums and read all of your posts. The generosity that has been shown to us is unlike anything I have seen before and we are so grateful for all of you.

For those who have extra hand-me-downs the sizes we can use are 2-3 months boy cloths, 3-T to 5T boys as well and about the only other thing I am short on is pants size 32-32. Heather seems to be ok between what we saved and what has been donated.

Any gift cards are fine as there is most any store here with a 20 to 30 mile radius of us. We have received several gift cards from neighbors and family which have been a God send for us seeing as most everything for the baby was lost.

The things I am most grateful for are,
My family and I are safe, and the love and compassion our family has received from both our extended family and our GBO extended family.

Again thanks for all you have done for us.
Matt, Heather & Family

brotherjack · « **Reply #47 on:** October 01, 2007, 01:41:58 PM »

Wow, did this thread ever stir up some memories. A bit over six years ago I made it out of my burning house with nothing but a pair of shorts and my life. The house exploded behind me as I ran for the street. Just reading this thread gave me mini-flashbacks. You'd think I'd have some words of wisdom, but I don't know that I do. You know the obvious - you and your loved ones are alive, and that makes everything else second rate problems.

I guess the best thing I can tell you, is that it is possible to recover, financially, emotionally, and mentally. On all fronts, it will take some time, and some prayer, and some work - but it is possible. My wife and I are living proof.

My prayers are with you and yours,

deerslayer79 · « **Reply #48 on:** October 01, 2007, 02:04:12 PM »

Man sorry to here this,my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family,I wish I could send some money your way,but hospital bills for my wife and baby has us strapped right now,but clothes for you and your kids we can certainly help with,just pm me some info.

Mitch in MI · « **Reply #49 on:** October 01, 2007, 02:38:41 PM »

Quote from: Matt on October 01, 2007, 01:32:35 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions... we have so far been using baking soda and something called odor nox or something.

This is the best odor fighter I know of, a carpet cleaner introduced it to me in the 1970's.
http://www.nilodor.com/

I'll get $200 worth of JC Penney gift cards in the mail tomorrow. They've got nice towels, the JC Penney bath towel ($9.99) is often on sale for $4.99. The "regular" prices stink, but everything's half off about once a week.

Illhunter · « **Reply #50 on:** October 01, 2007, 02:47:45 PM »

Sorry to hear about the fire but the main thing is everyone is alive and well and everything else is replaceable except for the family. I will try and get a donation out in the next few days to help as much as I can.

Terry

Heather · « **Reply #51 on:** October 02, 2007, 07:04:25 AM »

You guys just cant imagine that your support has turned this tragedy completely around. My boys still have some of their toys, all that was lost was books and electronics. Some clothes were salvageable. We still can not tell how many because as I am washing them some are just ripping to shreds when I take them out of the dryer, but some are as good as new. The material possessions are not what has been the worst on the children. My 3 year old can not understand why we cant go home, and my four year old doesnt understand why the pictures at the house we are at arent of us. They are confused and out of their routine. Last night as I tucked them into bed I was able to promise them that this was only tempoary and very very soon we would have a new house that was ours again. I wouldnt have been able to do that without the support from you guys. I can close my eyes at night and know that everything will be ok. Not only because of the financial support that is helping us move, but knowing that there is still good in this world. I would have never iimagined that total strangers could do so much for people. Again thank you for everything.

God Bless,
Heather

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #52 on:** October 02, 2007, 07:30:49 AM »

I could only donate money. If you lived closer to me or I closer to you I would have liked to have helped with the clean up and rebuilding too. There is nothing like fellow ship in a time like this.

eaglewatch · « **Reply #53 on:** October 02, 2007, 08:24:59 AM »

Hey Guys, praying for you as well.....sometimes these things get wrongly classified just because the FD needs to put down a cause. I noticed GB said that there were several theories. Anyway, if I can help, I own a fire/explosion investigation firm, and would be glad to take a look at your pictures, answer any questions regarding fire cause and origin, or just anything that you can think of for free. I am over in GA, not too far. You may not care to know how it started, but if it would help for piece of mind, feel free to call me. Praying for you....

Hal Lowder, CFI, CFEI
Eaglewatch Investigations, Inc.
www.eaglewatchinvestigations.com
770-287-7694

Graybeard · « **Reply #54 on:** October 02, 2007, 09:08:41 AM »

Goldhound56 who lives locally about half way between me and where Matt and Heather lived called this morning asking about shoe sizes. I asked Matt and he says at this time the whole family is pretty well covered on shoes so that's not a current need. I think this is because shoes are pretty tough and not that affected by water and most all shoes were downstairs as well where water and some smoke were the primary damage agents. Plus our family has spent a fair bit of money getting them the most immediate needs covered.

EVERYTHING from the kitchen is a total loss, nothing in there survived. They will need all appliances, dishes, glasses, sliverware the works replaced as well as a dining set. In short everything from the kitchen will need to be purchased by them. The laundry room was a total loss as well.

I'll let Matt or Heather answer any more specific questions as to needs but I've walked thru that kitchen enough to know that NOTHING in there survived.

goldhound56 · « **Reply #55 on:** October 02, 2007, 02:57:13 PM »

Mrs. Goldhound56 here. I have a set of dishes to donate. They are yellow with roosters. I have 12 dinner plates, six soup bowls, a GIANT platter, and three or four serving bowls. Mr. Goldhound56 will make arrangements to get them to Matt and Heather. We're also looking to see if we have some knives or anything else to contribute.