Debbie and Bob Starett - house fire

Donations may also be made by cash or check at VFW Post 2473, 1401 N Hercules, Clearwater, FL 33765. Any donation is welcome! I’ve created this page for Debbie and Bob Starrett, following their house fire. This couple volunteers at several local veteran organizations. Bob is life member of the VFW. Debbie was one of the first new friends I met when I moved to Florida 6 years ago. She and Bob always lend a hand to help so many others. They opened their home on holidays to those with nowhere to go. Bob often repairs bicycles for neighborhood kids.

On 10/21/22, Debbie was out enjoying a day at the beach with her local family and family visiting from up north. They were in town to deal with some of their father's affairs. Robert, a former active duty Viet Nam veteran Marine, stayed home to prepare a nice seafood dinner for everyone. When Debbie and the family returned, the house was filled with smoke. She couldn’t see but a few feet in front of her. Something went horribly wrong! The fire started on the stove. She could not see or hear her husband. Bob recently had a laryngectomy and chemo treatments due to cancer. He can no longer speak. Therefore, he could not call out for help. He tried valiantly to save his home. Another family member got down and literally did a military crawl on the floor to find the dog. Cooper. He was outside and OK, but shaken up from all the fire alarms going off. Miraculously Bob, in a panic to save the house, was able to put the fire out. He also somehow wrestled the burning, melting full-size stove away from the wall to unplug it as it was still on. His hands were burned and blistered in the process. He was in Marine Corps mode...once a Marine, always a marine. He was covered in soot, the stoma in his neck filled with what looked like black tar. The fire

department said if he hadn’t of done what he did, the whole house would have been lost. At this moment, it seems lost anyway. The damage is extensive, and the smell is uniquely awful.

The fire department used an axe to chop a hole in the wall behind where the fire started and the ceiling above to ensure the fire hadn’t spread to the attic.

They soaked those areas with water, which then had to be squeegeed out so it didn’t sit overnight on the floor to ruin even more. The living room ceiling, which was white, looks as if it was painted black. The smoke billowed throughout the whole house.

Every bit of fabric in the house will need to be washed, professionally cleaned, or simply replaced. Every counter, every surface, every bit of everything has black soot on it, even in the rooms furthest away. The power of fire and smoke is no joke. They simply cannot stay in the house, especially with Bob’s health concerns. They have contacted the necessary agencies to look for temporary housing. Hotels are far too expensive and local family doesn’t really have the accommodations needed for them to stay long-term.

They have gone back to assess the damage in the daylight and retrieve any valuables, as well as to ensure people don't see it as an opportunity to enter the property while they are gone. They have contacted a restoration company, mortgage company, insurance, etc. Although there will be more expenses on the way, my hope today is to raise $5000, so Robert and Debbie can put it towards their

deductible, accommodations if needed, etc. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much. Barb XXXX