Couple Loses Everything in Fire

Richard King tries to salvage some clothes from a dresser that he got out of the house. Photo by Glenn Sides.

As of Saturday, January 8, 2011

Christina King and her husband, Richard, searched the charred remains of their rental home Thursday, hoping to salvage some personal items.

"We're trying to see if there is anything left," she said by phone Thursday.

A fire Wednesday night damaged a single-story home in Vass and displaced the Kings. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to Mike Cameron, the Cypress Pointe fire chief.

When firefighters arrived at the home on South Street at 7:18 p.m., they found fire raging in a bedroom of the home.

"It (the fire) had a pretty good hold of the house," Cameron said. "There was full involvement in one room, and it was moving to two other rooms."

King said she and her husband and their son discovered the fire when they returned home from the store.

"My husband opened the back door and the dog (the family's German shepherd) came flying out," she said. "There was smoke all over the place. My husband grabbed the garden hose, and I ran up the street and called 911."

Firefighters from Cypress Pointe and Southern Pines as well as Moore County EMS responded.

Cameron said no one was injured in the blaze and that firefighters contained it quickly. He said the home was not a total loss, but because of the heavy damage and the fact that the home is more than 100 years old, it likely would have to be demolished.

King said she and her husband had lived in the home for several years. She said both have been unable to work due to injuries. He suffered a fall from a ladder, and she was hurt in a car wreck. She said they had no renter's insurance and have relied on local organizations and churches and the kindness of friends and family to help them. The American Red Cross is assisting the family.

King said they are staying at a local hotel until Saturday, but that she is unsure where they would go after that.

"I don't know what we are going to do," she said. "We lost everything."

Contact Tom Embrey at tembrey@thepilot.com.

More like this story

alaska4u 2 years, 4 months ago

Where would a person donate clothes and household items or donations in general for this family?
If anyone knows can you please notify me at amb1973@ymail.com thank you for a response.

TooHot 2 years, 4 months ago

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

rainsprite 2 years, 4 months ago

TooHot.......how could you say such a thing? Maybe you have never had anything bad happen to you? That is the only explanation for making such a cruel comment!

jamjam 2 years, 4 months ago

too hot, really too cold.

BlkTalon 2 years, 4 months ago

@ TooHot....what an inconsiderate comment. I think in today's economic conditions, their situation is becoming more prevalent. I have friends/family in much the same situation today. They are weighing a ~$300+/- per month insurance policy vs. food, utilities and shelter.

Hopefully Karma will never knock on your doorstep......

@ alaska4u....keep up the great work.

Amazed 2 years, 4 months ago

just so you know...renter's insurance only costs about $8 per month

BlkTalon 2 years, 4 months ago

I'm sure everyone is aware of the minimal cost of renters insurance. Whether you own or rent, if you have home, health, auto and life or any combination. You do the math and you'd be "amazed" how much the combined coverage cost. Insurance unfortunately for some becomes the first thing to go to curb monthly cost no matter how insignificant the cost may be.

Amazed 2 years, 4 months ago

I realize the high costs of cumulative insurance...I just wanted to make sure people realized that renter's insurance did not cost $300 + dollars per month.

LynnD 2 years, 4 months ago

Where do you get $8 renters insurance??

Tarheelgal 2 years, 4 months ago

If anyone has any information on where to donate or what sizes etc family needs please post would like to help!

oldtimer 2 years, 4 months ago

For assistance with clothing, etc. try the Sandhills Coalition for Human Care in Southern Pines. As to the insensitive comment by TooHot, get a life, Pal - and "there but for the grace of God ......" You should be ashamed.

runorbike 2 years, 4 months ago

Yes, please post if there's a any kind of collection going on for this family.

@ TOOHOT-Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your brother's eye.

mikeg311 2 years, 4 months ago

Hey TooHot, I live 3 houses away from the this family and they are very nice people. How dare you say something like that about a family that lost everything and more importantly people you don't know. Its people like you that make this world the way it is. What if this happened to you.

mikeg311 2 years, 4 months ago

For info about donations for the King's please Conact me. Mike G. Email is m_garzo @ yahoo.com

ladylane 2 years, 4 months ago

Things always seem to happen when winter set in my prayers go out to the family. I just cleaned out my closet and have things to give contact me at eisaac@msa-corp.com. Miracles and Blessings.

mikeg311 2 years, 4 months ago

The dog is fine, and he is being well cared for.

alaska4u 2 years, 4 months ago

They are in need of any household item as well as clothing. Christina's sizes are pants 24 and 3x shirts, Richard's sizes are pants 32x34 and xl shirts, and Keith's sizes are pants 36x34 and large shirts. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your concern. God Bless

Ok Just got drop off location and time. Drop off location will be at Vass Fire Department Sunday January 9, 2010 Between 11am - 3 pm

Thank you Mike Garzo and Chief of Vass FD Mike Cameron For making this happen.

mikeg311 2 years, 4 months ago

                           *****DONATION SITE*****
                              VASS FIRE DEPARTMENT 
                                 SUNDAY JANUARY 9TH
                                        11 TO 3
                            PLEASE NO EARLIER OR LATER.
                    ANY AND ALL ITEMS WILL BE ACCEPTED

scarletts003 2 years, 4 months ago

If I had my church take up donations, where would I bring them to? scarletts003@yahoo.com

alaska4u 2 years, 4 months ago

2011 not 2010 is the year... Yes I am behind still

CNMT 2 years, 4 months ago

I too am glad that no one got hurt. Am really thankful they got home when they did and could rescue their dog. I am sorry they lost so much.

TooHot, I hope you never have to walk a mile in these people's shoes. What an inconsiderate comment to make about people you don't even know!

Thanks to those putting together the drive to collect donations for this family. I have work commitment on Sunday and will not be able to get there with anything. Is there anything else planned? Is there a bank account set up if people wanted to donate money instead of items? Any info would be appreciated.

To the King family - my thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May God bless you and help you thru this very trying time.

alaska4u 2 years, 4 months ago

CNMT: I am sure that if you took a Check / Money order or cash to the Fire Department in Vass that they will assure the family gets the money to help them out. Or if you do have donations of clothing or household items email me and I can set up a time to pick it up if you want to do that instead. amb1973@ymail.com

TooHot: sounds like you have inner demons you are fighting yourself for a person to be so low and so sorry to make that kind of comment is unbelievable. I have been in these peoples shoes top it off we lost a sibling in the fire, my parents worked 2 jobs barely could make ends meet and could not afford home owners insurance and we lost EVERYTHING. Yes that few dollars makes a difference when you are on limited income or have no income. Did you ever sit and think that everyone is not as intelligent as you Think you are maybe they did not know about renters insurance or the cost. Hell I never knew what it was until I got my first apartment and was told I had to have renters insurance. We will pray for you and the soul that you have that seems to be blacker than black. Praying you never go through this ever.

Prayers go out to the King family during this time in their lives.

~Freelance Paranormal Investigators of NC~

None 2 years, 4 months ago

I am so impressed with the small town efforts of the people of Vass who have always responded to neighbors in need. I am proud to say that I was raised in Vass and have family still living there. If there has ever been a Mayberry where neighbors are friends and are always willing to step to the head of the line when it comes to compassion for others, Vass is the place to raise a family....Great town and wonderful people...as well as our neighbors in Lakeview. Just great salt-of-the-earth people.

alaska4u 2 years, 4 months ago

Toda you are so correct. Vass is a great place to raise kids. I was pretty much raised in Vass and have lived in 17 different states, Germany and Alaska and have always came to NC as home and came back here to raise my 3 kids. This community normally tries to help others around. And if we can send money overseas to help others we can help our own. A great community I would have to agree.

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
28	29	30	1	2	3	4
5	6	7	8	9	10	11
12	13	14	15	16	17	18
19	20	21	22	23	24	25
26	27	28	29	30	31	1