Reflections, Sermons and more

12th Oct 2007

Fire Destroys Home  - Fr David reporting from scene

            Just before 11pm, Thursday the 11th of October, fire illuminated the Fall skies of Wakefield, as the family home of Ernest Sr. & Regina Crockett, along with their four children who all attend Sussex schools, was seen to be erupting in intense flames, shooting out the front door and bedrooms. Everyone was able to get out, the kids jumping out of the bedroom windows. The fire appears to have started accidentally, possibly by unattended food cooking on the stove. At this time, the cause has not yet been determined.

            Sussex 911 was called, the Wakefield VFD’s siren was sounding, calling the firefighters to duty, shortly followed by rescue and Waverly VFD, within minute. . The firefighters, assured that everyone had escaped the inferno, went about doing what they heroically do so well.

            The house, half of which is completely destroyed, is on Virginia Ave, only a block from Rt 460 and a couple blocks from the firehouse.  The home was the former offices of a dentist who had his offices at that location.

            Family and friends of the Crockett’s arrived as firefighters arrived to provide comfort and support to the traumatized family.  Minor cuts on one of the children were treated along with emotional support, so necessary in all disasters was provided for those in need by the rescue squad.

            Soon after fire was under control, the American Red Cross was on the scene to providing their traditional assistance to the displaced family. Various Pastors were also notified as the family is going to need assistance in many ways.  This reporter, Pastor of the Church of the Beatitudes across the street from the Crockett home, was on scene, called 911 after the dogs alerted me to the problem, and did my best to provide any thing he could to the family and firefighters. Father David would be glad to accept and forward any donations the community might like to make to the Crockett family, until other arrangements can be made. Father David suffered through the same experience only four years ago this December in Carrsville and knows how the community can be a true blessing.

            Quick action by Ernest Crockett Sr., ordering his children out of the house, even if they had to go thru the windows, might have saved his family, as the front door was fully engulfed in flames. This is the second home destroyed by fire on Virginia Ave in the past few years.

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