A family of five lost their modular home in a fire Monday, Sept. 26. No one was injured. The state fire marshal’s office is assisting with the investigation to determine the cause of the fire. The …
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Fire destroys family’s home
Posted
By Kate Miller, Record Staff Writer
A family of five lost their modular home in a fire Monday, Sept. 26.No one was injured.The state fire marshal’s office is assisting with the investigation to determine the cause of the fire.The home, on Hemp Hill Drive outside Wright City, is a total loss, said Chief Ron MacKnight of the Wright City Fire Protection District.MacKnight said the family was away at the time and when they came home around 6:30 p.m. they saw smoke and flames.“It was just devastating for this family. They lost everything, and there wasn’t a whole lot we could do when we arrived. The fire had been burning too long and spread too fast,” MacKnight said. “Fortunately, no one was hurt.”A local church representative and the Red Cross offered the family immediate assistance. Shortly after, someone who knows the family started a Go Fund Me page (www.gofundme.com/2rghwzg?ssid=751111001&pos=10) for the Hemphill/Gurley family with a $5,000 fundraising goal.Ashley Tiesing of Wright City wrote on the page: “This is a family that would welcome anyone into their home anytime and they’d always greet you with open arms and open hearts. Their faith is remaining strong but hearts are heavy. Now I am hoping that the community could open their hearts to help an amazing family in their time if need. They need new everything and they are going to need something for a down payment on a new home. Every penny will help this beautiful family get back on their feet. Prayers are much appreciated as well!”Fire crews and ambulance services responded from Wright City, Warrenton, Wentzville, Lincoln and Warren counties, Marthasville and Jonesburg. Dispatchers from Warren County Emergency Services provided communication services.Firefighters were at the scene for about five hours.During the evening, a stream of black smoke could be seen for miles.MacKnight said building materials and furnishings that are made with or treated with chemicals caused the black smoke.
A family of five was displaced when their home was destroyed by a fire Monday, Sept. 26. Wright City Fire Protection District photo.
