Dennis Reber Family: FIRE AT THE HOME PLACE

Plants ready for the garden before the fire

Saturday morning early we were awakened by the smoke alarm beeping. As we got up the investigate we found the plastic shelving unit in the dining room in flames. Smoke was billowing from the burning plastic. We tried to smother the fire with heavy blankets after we couldn't get the fire extinguisher to work. Called the fire department. Fire was spreading so fast! Up the curtains, across the dining room. Shelf unit collapsed forward and fell on Dennis, knocking his glasses to the floor. Dennis ran outside to hook up a hose and started spraying the fire through the window that had just broken out. A passerby stopped and helped. By the time the fire department arrived, the fire was out but the heavy smoke had filled the house with thick black sooty stuff. In the process of trying to get the fire out, I slipped on the water that was on the kitchen floor, boogered up my back and shoulder. I've been soaking in the motel hot tub a couple of times a day.

We were so blessed to have the smoke alarms, to be able to get the fire out before the house went up in flames. The clean up is incredible but the insurance company will take care of most of it. Dad and I have been working long days doing what we can. Everything in the house is affected by the smoke and will have to be cleaned or thrown away. There is a big pile of burned stuff in the driveway.

We are in temporary housing, probably for a month to six weeks. Have been in a motel up until today but THINK we will be moving to a home on the Umpqua River out by Tyee today or tomorrow--HOPEFULLY. Not sure yet.

The pictures were taken right after the fire so don't look so black. But each day the walls and ceiling have gotten blacker and blacker. Everything in the house has to be removed, including the kitchen cabinets, library shelves, etc. We will get a new kitchen/dining room floor and a new refrigerator. The heat melted the seal on the refrigerator. Also melted the ficus tree in the living room as well as picture frames in several rooms. The plastic strips where we keep track of how tall everyone is that are by the back door did not melt but warped from the heat. Its a mess!

Our home phone will be disconnected while the repair work is being done and until we get our computer back on track. Use our cell phone to get in touch 541-671-0087.

We love you all and realize that we have been very blessed through this whole experience!