Trowbridge House Fire
Disclaimer: Please know that there is a dollar amount specified only because GoFundMe requires one. The number is arbitrary, but it was the one suggested at the low end of replacement value. Any amount is appreciated; please disregard the GoFundMe goal.
I want to say how much I [we] appreciate those who have reached out via messages, prayers etc., and I am thankful to those who have asked how they can help. To those who do not know, just about a week ago (Wed, July 28, 2021), we had a major house fire. It's been so emotionally devestating and I've been unable to cope with it all. Thankfully Tyler was home, and his quick action saved our pets from a burning room. Beyond that, all I feel is incredible sadness. Lost photos and precious objects come to mind.
There's also deep regret on my part. Most do not know the difficulties of this past year, as I didn't want to burden anyone. I've seen specialists for answers and it's clear that my autoimmune disease is complicating my health. As a result I've not been working. To make ends meet, and extend my savings, cuts were necessary; I made an enormous mistake. I did not renew my tenant Renter's Insurance Policy. So I find myself here, asking for your help. You can help simply by sharing this; if you're in a position to give, I am [we are] truly grateful.
I know there are many who care, as well as unanswered questions. I wanted to share our story via my perspective, and prevent any misinformation. Hopefully this helps in understanding where we are today.
Wednesday, July 28, 2021:
It was a hot day, and the flames spread so quickly...the initial fire was approximately, 1:40pm-4:00pm. I had an appointment just 5 minutes away. Tyler called at 1:40, which I didn't answer. His follow-up text only read "Fire fire fire.”
I called back immediately. I couldn't make sense of his trembling voice, but it was enough to know this was the real deal. As I entered my neighborhood, I was behind the 4th or 5th firetruck at the scene. There were two plumes of black smoke from the rear of my home seen from two blocks away.
I knew my people/pets were safe, so now my family photos were my priority. We had just consolidated photos and most of the prized possessions of Jon's (my late husband) last summer. Strategically, I chose the front corner of the garage just 6 feet from the garage door opening (a stack of 3 Rubbermaid totes full). Dad was a fireman; his advice of having quick access to photos in an emergency stuck with me. I made a plea to the firemen, and everyone who would listen - ”Please remove our family photos if they are in jeopardy.” I wanted them safe more than anything. Most everything else can be bought again.
The majority was contained in the late afternoon, but we were not able to get inside. Neighborhood Code stated that firemen were continuing to find hot embers within the insulation and were still axing holes to the affected walls and roofing.
Finally, we were able to enter just as Paul Davis arrived to board up all openings and (somewhat) secure the property from looters. The damage was evident by then: my bedroom and our family room were destroyed by flames, and my storage room, although not burned beneath the rafters, had holes through the roof. Everything was drenched and there was 12" of insulation blanketing everything in those rooms. I was immediately overwhelmed and very emotional, as it began occur to me I would need to start getting items out before they were no longer salvageable. The silver lining though, was that the garage was untouched, which meant our family photos were safe.
I started planning out everything I wanted to take from the house. They told me I needed to grab only 2 days’ worth of clothing, toiletries, medication, etc., but I told them I also wanted to make sure we got the photos. They told me again to only get the essentials and told us we could not get more, as it was after hours. We were informed that once a building is condemned, which at this point ours had been, the city of Fort Wayne requires a permit for access even your own home. I was told I would be able to retrieve photos on Thursday morning with the permit. I was very uncomfortable with this, especially knowing I could’ve gotten the most important things out of the home in 5 minutes’ time.
As soon as I retrieved my essentials from the house, the garage door was shut by the City Code Enforcement officer. This was done with them knowing the photos’ location and without them telling me, as I was busy searching for clothing. His reasoning for doing it so quickly was that he was on call, and "Not really supposed to be here." He was clearly in a hurry to get home. Around this time, Taylor arrived after having driven up from Muncie to help in any way she could.
As Taylor walked through initially to the assess our home, she scanned to locate precious belongings and was immediately being pushed out and told that the house needed to be locked up. I begged for just a little more time to get some items from the house with her help, but we were still denied and rushed out of the home.
I slept in Muncie that night and stayed with my daughter so we could console one another - both recalling items lost forever. Oscillating between casual conversations and questioning how we needed to proceed, how to recover the most the next time we went to the house, and who needed to be called next.
The American Red Cross called me initially and opened a case. I knew our health and safety were the top priority immediately after the fire, but I could not shift my focus from retrieving the treasured photos and keepsakes, which included baby photos, and those of my late husband, who died when our kids were 5 & 1. Those items were all my children had to link them to their father and to remind them of different pieces of him.
Thursday, July 29, 2021:
The next morning, I was keeping busy making back to back phone calls so I could get the permit to return to the house. I also messaged Tyler, as he was now too homeless. Thankfully he was able to stay on a friend's sofa.
It was then that I received a fateful message from my landlord – news that ripped my heart out. Through the night, an ember had rekindled. The fire happened while all were asleep, around 1am, and the house status was changed from major to a total loss. I was crushed – I knew the only pieces left of my husband were now gone forever. It felt like news that he died all over again. It's been so traumatic. Since Wednesday, every time another item or photo comes to mind, I feel loss and grief. I know that without the photos and keepsakes to remind me, the memories I had of him will be allowed to fade.
I am beyond saddened. I feel the weight upon my shoulders by the name of guilt. Added is unspeakable grief. Not only have I lost all of my family’s most sentimental items, but I’ve lost literally everything needed to survive, including shelter for myself and my children. And due to my failure in maintaining insurance, I have no backup plan for stability. Tyler has been staying with friends to continue working, and has lost his possessions. And I am in need of a new address in Fort Wayne to start over, and rebuild.
I've felt unable to talk about this with anyone thus far except my immediate family, but I’ve come to the realization that this is too big for me to handle alone. So I am asking for your help. Please share this with anyone and everyone you're able to. If you are able to help, or you belong to a church or other organization that's able to help, my entire family would be humbled by your generosity. Our family email address is LoriTylerTaylor@g.....
For those who would like to and are able to, this GoFundMe is available to anyone wishing to donate monetarily to assist in our rebuild. Please share it among those you know.
https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/crews-fight-fire-at-aboite-township-home/
https://www.journalgazette.net › WEB
Fort Wayne firefighters extinguish blaze that likely reignited | Police/Fire ...
https://us933fm.com/news/localnews/southwest-fire-rekindles-crew-battle-blaze-twice-in-24-hours/
