My mother's house just burned down.

[Pab Sungenis]

I just got woken up by a phone call: my mother's house just burned to the ground.

Almost all of her personal belongings and most likely five dogs were lost in the blaze.

The fire started in the house next door and jumped to hers. The original fire is suspicious; the person living there was a police informant in the local drug trade.

I'm fighting with my husband Bryan, who does not want me to drive up there. She lives 8 hours away, in Olean, NY. I'm not yet sure if she has a place to stay yet, she has not called me back. She was talking with the police last I checked.

I'll post more when I know more, but for now I just needed to get it out in the open.

[amitten]

1. My God, how horrible. I'm so sorry. n/t

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

2. Prayers and good vibes to you and yours

Especially your mom.

[The Straight Story]

3. Prayers from me and I hope for the best, keep us updated as you can (nt)

[Bluebear]

4. OMH horrifying....thinking of you and ma

[SoCalDemGrrl]

5. That is simply awful. My heart goes out to both of you!

[Longhorn]

6. Oh, no, I'm so sorry!

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. Major vibes for your mom, my dear pabsungenis...

How dreadful.

Would it be better to fly up, and rent a car?

Of course it would be more costly...

And how awful about the dogs...

Please keep us posted...

:grouphug:

[villager]

8. good lord -- take care, and post back when you can...

Thank God your mother is all right, but I expect the loss of the dogs must be horrific...

[lpbk2713]

9. If you don't make it up there soon ...

I think the Red Cross provides vouchers for lodging for people displaced by fires and other similar catastrophes.

Here's hoping for the best for all.

[hlthe2b]

10. Oh, God... It sounds like all humans are ok, but the dogs!

Ohhhhhh, I just can't even imagine. :cry: I will certainly hope for the best... I also hope you are able to be with your Mom if needed.

[ColbertWatcher]

11. Oh, Pab, I'm so sorry. : ( n/t

[madeline_con]

12. "I'm fighting with my husband ..."

Wow. This is your mother. Don't back down. what a horrible thing! I hope your mother is ok.

[DontTreadOnMe]

28. no, you husband might be telling you the right advise

First, find out WHERE your mother is first. You don't just jump in a car and drive eight hours. For all you know,
she might have been given a ride to somewhere safe, like to a friend of your mother's and that might not even be in the same town.

Are you going to drive eight hours only to then not find your mother?
What if she is trying to reach you at home?

Stay put, don't act irrational. Talk to her on the phone before making the right decision.

Maybe your husband is acting calmly in this situation.

Thank God your mother is OK. People are more important than any personal belonging.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

40. I have to say that's screwed up I would go - find someone to go w/ you though..

You might be too upset to drive especially this late at night.

[Speck Tater]

13. A bad experience all the way around.

My daughter and her hubby lived in the same apartment complex I lived in a long time ago. The building burned down and me, my daughter, her hubby and my granddaughter all lost our homes on the same day. It took a while for all of us to get back on our feet, but in time, it does get better. And finally, now decades later, it's just a dim memory we talk about now and then.

[SeattleGirl]

14. That's awful, pabs

I'm glad your mother made it out all right, but it's so sad about the dogs.

Sending good thoughts to you and your mom.

:hug:

[blonndee]

15. OMG, I'm so sorry.

You do what you need to do for your momma. Blood is thicker than water.

[Lorien]

16. That's horrible! I'm so sorry that this happened to her and to her

beloved pets. I can't imagine her heartache right now. Please let us know how she's doing.

:hug: :grouphug:

[pitohui]

17. oh jesus i'm sorry

these fires were such a plague in my area in the late 80s/early 90s

and now they are on the rise again

fucking crackheads, she muttered bitterly -- i guess up north it's meth but whatever it just makes me so scared and angry

:hug:

[goclark]

18. So sorry to hear the terrible news

Take Care... :hug:

[Ichingcarpenter]

19. The Red Cross offered to put me up for two nights

when my Condo burned but the motel wouldn't take my dog. Fortunately my neighbor had an extra
room where I stayed.


Make sure she has shelter tonight and then get up there tomorrow.
Clothing is a big deal so pick up some clothes for her.

Sorry to hear this.

[nadinbrzezinski]

20. Mom has insurance, yes?

After she is done with the cops she needs to contact her insurance company, most likely the 24 hour emergency service and get THAT going

They should cover things like a roof, and food ASAP, as well as start the process to rebuild

She also needs to have the case number from the cops, and part of the process will be the Insurance people going through this looking for fraud, and exchanging notes with the local fire department. This should not affect her, but they will ask her all kinds of annoying questions

Good luck and me, don't back down with hubby. Mom needs you

[stillcool]

21. Damn, I feel for you

and your mom. what a horrible thing to go through.

[KittyWampus]

22. My heart goes out to your Mom and you. And the dogs.

[EFerrari]

23. Oh, no.

:hug:

[Triana]

24. Ohh... I'm SO sorry. I hope she calls you back soon.

You must be very worried about her. I'm sorry about the poor dogs too! :cry:

[mecherosegarden]

25. So sorry! N/T

[Historic NY]

26. Take a deep breath, calm down, they will find her shelter.......

and get her some necessaries. Your 8 hrs away, its very cold here in NY. If your driving its better to do it in the daylight.

[Pushed To The Left]

27. I'm very sorry to hear about this. Sending vibes, thoughts, prayers etc. for you and your mother

:hug:

[CitizenLeft]

29. I'm so sorry...

Praying for you and your Mom, and hoping that at least some of her dogs survived and managed to get away. And that she has a place to stay. And has insurance.

Oh God. How horrible. I'm so sorry.

[Muttocracy]

30. it is bitter cold in NY tonight, so I'm sure the police will find her a safe warm place to stay

If not suspicious as you mentioned, I wonder if the people next door were burning wood for heat and it got out of control.

I hope your mom is OK :hug:

[2Design]

31. red cross will give her a place to stay tonight - she will need something past that - find out what

she needs before trekking up there - let the services - do their job before jumping in too soon -

[Stinky The Clown]

32. That's horrible

My best wishes to your mother.

[FloridaJudy]

33. I'm so sorry. That's terrible.

I'm glad that she at least made it out safely.

Those poor dogs! :cry:

[Richard Steele]

34. That's just a nightmare in real life. Wish I was good enough with words to say something comforting.

But I'm not. And maybe there aren't any words that would do that anyway.

I know what it's like to stand helplessly and watch your entire life disappear.
Yer Mum is in my thoughts and my prayers this evening, my fellow DUer. :hug:

[HopeFor2006]

35. I am so sorry for you and your family

Thank goodness your mother is okay.

[Pab Sungenis]

36. Update. 1:22 AM

Mother in hospital for smoke inhalation. Five dogs lost in fire. Only person I know made it out of next door was one kid; they had three in that house.

[Ichingcarpenter]

38. Thanks for the update

You can drive up tomorrow morning after you get some rest.
Sounds like a horrible experience, I know my fire was.

I needed socks, underwear and just simple clothing.

[Hekate]

41. Drive very carefully tomorrow. All good wishes to your mom for her recovery.

:grouphug:

Hekate

[Muttocracy]

42. oh, the poor dogs. your mother must be brokenhearted. :-( nt

[lumberjack_jeff]

69. Dogs? Looks like you missed this part.

"Only person I know made it out of next door was one kid; they had three in that house."

Good luck today Pabsubgenis. Update us when you can.

[fortyfeetunder]

47. I am sorry to hear about your mother

I hope she recovers and you can go and see her. I am sure you can offer some comfort for this great loss. Have a safe trip when you go.
:hug:

[bluedawg12]

37. I am very sorry. I hope she is safe now.

[RiverStone]

39. Heart goes out to ya --- glad your mom made it out

Real sad to hear about her dogs. :cry:

Also hoping folks made it out of the other house.

Sending healing vibes.

[raouldukelives]

43. How awful. Glad she is safe!

[McCamy Taylor]

44. Tell your mom we are thinking of her and I hope her dogs made it out alive.

[emilyg]

45. I am so sorry. Go see your Mom.

[az chela]

46. get some rest so you will be okay tomorrow,your mom

is really going to need you.Do you have a reliable car and gas money til you can get there and help your mom.The red cross will provide any meds she needs and clothes.Then if you can take your mom home with you and leave your number with all the authorities so they can contact you.
This happened to one of my best friends last year,her home where she lived 14 years burned to the ground.I was there 5 minutes after I heard,took her a heavy jacket ,gave her 100 dollars,the red cross was on the scene and gave her the meds she needed.She went to stay with a friend and i came home and filled 2 garbage bags full of clothes,including pj's and undies and shoes.Make a list and take it with you in case the places there have clothes she needs.
Also remember your mom is in shock and wont be too coherent so take over all you can with the paper work.
Let us know what we can do to help.
My heart aches for all of you.
Judy

[Pab Sungenis]

48. Update 3:00 AM

Just got off the phone with my mother. Salvation Army working with her right now. SPCA tending to surviving animals. Three got out with her, one escaped and is on the loose, two confirmed dead.

Next door, where fire started, a four year old boy made it out. Teenager and her baby didn't.

As I said up thread, the street is notorious for drug deals, and the neighbor was a police informant. The fire department made a conscious decision NOT to wet down adjoining houses, and now at least six homes are threatened. If it sounds like I'm raving a little bit here (and I may be from lack of sleep) I'm old enough to remember Osage Avenue in Philadelphia, so anything like this makes me a little suspicious.

Heading off to bed now. Will post an update thread when I have more information. Give to the Salvation Army, please.

[WePurrsevere]

49. As I was reading this my heart was aching for your mom's loss..

but was relieved a bit to read this post of yours. Thank you for the update. I know you must be worried still but it sounds like your mom will be okay and that at least will hopefully bring you a bit of peace.

Hopefully your mom will be okay, the other dog rounded up and she'll be able to have her beloved furkids with her again soon. The Salvation Army, while I don't agree with all their policies, at least is good for helping folks at times like these.

Please keep us posted about your mom and her dogs. :hug:

[Blue Diadem]

53. I'm glad your Mom is ok and that the little 4 yr old neighbor made it out.

That's so sad about the teenager and her baby, and your Mom's dogs that didn't make it. Hopefully the dog that is frightened and loose will be found soon.

[lunatica]

54. I'm so sorry

I'm glad your mom is OK and sad that there was loss of life. Poor kid next door... I hope there is no lingering health issues for your mom.

[malaise]

50. How sad

Make hubby drive you if he doesn't want you to drive. :grouphug:

[Kahuna]

51. I'm so sorry. It's so sad. She's lucky to have you.

:hug:

[shadowknows69]

52. OMG I'm so sorry.

So glad your mother wasn't hurt pab, that's most important. I can't imagine what she must be going through. :hug:

[crim son]

55. Thank god she's alive.

Wow, in Olean? My father comes from Bradford... I don't remember Olean being the kind of place where houses were maliciously burned to the ground but clearly times are a-changing. My condolences to your mother. What a terrible position to be in, especially at this time of year.

[DainBramaged]

56. I am so sorry.

:cry:

[bdamomma]

57. oh my goodness that is horrible.

my thoughts are with you and your mom. terrible situation. So sorry about the dogs.

[mnhtnbb]

58. I am SO sorry. We lost our house to fire August 07.

Please go help your mom--if you are able--right away. She will be in shock for a long time.
There will be endless hassles with the insurance company--and expect trouble from the mortgage holder.

Please go help her get connected with a network of people who can support her in all the grief she is going to have to deal with, along with the huge shock of losing everything.

My heart goes out to her. PM me if you need some specific advice about dealing with insurance co or mortgage holder.

:hug:

[northernlights]

59. I'm so, so sorry for your mom's losses

Especially the doggies that didn't make it out. The stuff is replaceable. The lives, not. I hope the other 3 dogs are ok and that they find the loose one quickly and it stays safe.

[randr]

60. Your mom needs you, get there as fast as you can!

I won't comment on your husbands attitude but will remind you that God gave us our family, we chose our friends and companions.

[Ellen Forradalom]

61. Oh my god.

Holy moly. You have my prayers--for you, your mother and her poor, poor dogs.

Fires are horrible. We have our stories in my family too.

[area51]

62. I'm so sorry. (n/t)

[Kajsa]

63. That is awful!

I'm so sorry, pabsungenis!

:(

[juno jones]

64. Sorry to hear. n/t

[blm]

65. Wishing calm ahead for all of you....

.

[tavalon]

66. I'm sorry your husband doesn't agree but of course you need to go

That's just the right thing to do.

[I Have A Dream]

67. What a horrible thing for your mother to go through.

I hope that your family is able to do what it needs to do to make this the least traumatic that it can be. I so hope that the dogs are OK. :(

I can completely understand your wanting to be with her right now; I'm so glad that she's physically OK.

:hug:

[HillWilliam]

68. Wishing strength and love your direction

I know hubby seems like a stick right now, but he's loving on you, believe it or not, not to let you drive upset. That's what mine does for me. Your mom will need you whole and strong; you wouldn't be much good if you got yourself hurt rushing up to be with her. HillbillyBob and I are with you in spirit. :hug:

[Granny M]

70. How terrible.

I pray she will be able to find a place to stay and everything she needs quickly. She must be in terrible shock, and heartbroken about losing her dogs and all her belongings. Sending good thoughts to her and to you, too.

[mistertrickster]

71. Not only should your husband let you go, he should go with you.

What is he? A Republican or something?

[Muttocracy]

72. How is your mom doing? Saw a video of the fire and her house:

They didn't spend much time talking about her house, but it's clear it's just a shell left :(

http://www.wgrz.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=62692&catid=13