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Saturday
March 20, 2010 Since 1922 |
Two homes destroyed in Highlands fire
By Kari Griffin
Baytown Sun Published December 22, 2006 An early morning fire in Highlands Thursday put a damper on the approaching holidays when it left three families homeless.
When Duncan Wylie left his house in the morning, he had no idea that nothing would be left of it when he returned home.
Around 6 a.m. Thursday, firefighters across the area were called to Fourth Street in Highlands to extinguish a house fire that started in Wylie’s garage.
“It was under control in within about an hour,” said Baytown Battalion Chief John Carr, whose department helped with the blaze.
Fire departments from Highlands, Crosby, Baytown, Mont Belvieu, Channel View, and Cloverleaf responded, putting out the fire and preventing it from spreading, Carr said.
Harris County officials made a preliminary determination that the accidental fire started when a car caught fire in the garage of one of the houses, Carr added.
Wylie’s home was destroyed, along with an apartment that connected to the opposite side of his garage. A neighboring house was also considerably damaged.
Wylie lived with his wife, Renee, and his two sons Bradley, 17, and Brian, 14, a freshman at Ross S. Sterling High School and an ROTC member.
The family lost all of its possessions, including two of their cars and all of their keepsakes, photographs, clothing and Christmas presents.
Wylie described himself as “numb” with the shock of all the damage that happened in such a short period of time.
Family members did not just lose their possessions, they lost two of their miniature dachshunds, which Wylie’s wife breeds. Fortunately, four of the puppies were saved from the fire.
Wylie was devastated by the loss of his beloved pets, but he is thankful that his family and neighbors escaped unharmed. “That’s the most important thing,” said Wylie.
Dianna Carter and her two daughters Amanda Rivera, 15 and Kaylie Carter, 6, also lost their home that day. Rivera is a sophomore at Sterling and Carter is a first grader at B.P. Hopper Primary Elementary School.
Carter moved into the apartment connected to the Wylie’s garage about six months ago, said Debbie Koehler, her sister.
“She had just bought a few things for Christmas,” said Koehler.
Carter and her daughters were unharmed, but there is nothing left of the home she shared with her daughters. All three families have had to relocate.
“We’ve got a place to stay for now, but that’s a temporary fix,” said Wylie.
Wylie and Carter are in the process of opening a fund at Woodforest Bank and welcome any donations.
Anyone wishing to donate Christmas presents, clothing or other items to the Wylie family can drop them off at 309 6th St. in Highlands or call Duncan Wylie at 409-599-1943.
To donate gifts or clothing to the Carter family, call Dianna Carter at 832-597-2415.
Baytown Sun Published December 22, 2006 An early morning fire in Highlands Thursday put a damper on the approaching holidays when it left three families homeless.
When Duncan Wylie left his house in the morning, he had no idea that nothing would be left of it when he returned home.
Around 6 a.m. Thursday, firefighters across the area were called to Fourth Street in Highlands to extinguish a house fire that started in Wylie’s garage.
“It was under control in within about an hour,” said Baytown Battalion Chief John Carr, whose department helped with the blaze.
Fire departments from Highlands, Crosby, Baytown, Mont Belvieu, Channel View, and Cloverleaf responded, putting out the fire and preventing it from spreading, Carr said.
Harris County officials made a preliminary determination that the accidental fire started when a car caught fire in the garage of one of the houses, Carr added.
Wylie’s home was destroyed, along with an apartment that connected to the opposite side of his garage. A neighboring house was also considerably damaged.
Wylie lived with his wife, Renee, and his two sons Bradley, 17, and Brian, 14, a freshman at Ross S. Sterling High School and an ROTC member.
The family lost all of its possessions, including two of their cars and all of their keepsakes, photographs, clothing and Christmas presents.
Wylie described himself as “numb” with the shock of all the damage that happened in such a short period of time.
Family members did not just lose their possessions, they lost two of their miniature dachshunds, which Wylie’s wife breeds. Fortunately, four of the puppies were saved from the fire.
Wylie was devastated by the loss of his beloved pets, but he is thankful that his family and neighbors escaped unharmed. “That’s the most important thing,” said Wylie.
Dianna Carter and her two daughters Amanda Rivera, 15 and Kaylie Carter, 6, also lost their home that day. Rivera is a sophomore at Sterling and Carter is a first grader at B.P. Hopper Primary Elementary School.
Carter moved into the apartment connected to the Wylie’s garage about six months ago, said Debbie Koehler, her sister.
“She had just bought a few things for Christmas,” said Koehler.
Carter and her daughters were unharmed, but there is nothing left of the home she shared with her daughters. All three families have had to relocate.
“We’ve got a place to stay for now, but that’s a temporary fix,” said Wylie.
Wylie and Carter are in the process of opening a fund at Woodforest Bank and welcome any donations.
Anyone wishing to donate Christmas presents, clothing or other items to the Wylie family can drop them off at 309 6th St. in Highlands or call Duncan Wylie at 409-599-1943.
To donate gifts or clothing to the Carter family, call Dianna Carter at 832-597-2415.