Brownwood Fire Department was called to 3308 1st Street to a blaze that destroyed the home of a family of seven shortly after 2:00pm on Tuesday. No one was home when the fire began as the family members were either at work or at school.
Fire crews responded and worked to put out the blaze that looked to have started either in the attic above the kitchen or in the wall according to Fire Marshal Buddy Preston. As firemen worked quickly to try and save the home, the blaze made a gaping hole in the roof and smoke filled the entire house.
The homeowners, Casey and Jamie Jones, had only purchased the home in October just before their wedding anniversary. Recently the family bought new sofas as a birthday gift for Jamie. Although the home and its contents are a complete loss, the family worries that Gizmo their 3-year-old Chihuahua was lost in the fire.
“I can’t complain, my kids have never been sick and we haven’t experienced any family deaths,” stated Jamie Jones. “There are worse things that could happen. This is just a little shocking.”
Although still in shock and holding strong, the Jones were calmly trying to access their situation. Church members, family friends, their pastor all came to check on the Jones. Chester and Leanna Land representing the Red Cross offered immediate help to the family, putting them at a hotel, so that they could figure out where to go from here.
The Jones even in their time of despair were counting their blessings and quite inspirational as Jamie invited a friends to join them at Southside Church for Sunday school soon.
The Red Cross is currently helping the Jones and their five kids to start putting their lives back together and determining what the family’s immediate needs are.
