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Thursday
March 18, 2010 Since 1922 |
Highlands woman loses home again to fire
By Kari Griffin
Baytown Sun Published February 22, 2007 A Tuesday morning fire left a Highlands woman homeless for the second time.
Delores Barras, 64, of Highlands was asleep in her home on Poinsettia Lane when the blaze began. It started around 4 a.m., as a result of an accident. Barras had several space heaters in her home, and fell asleep while boiling water on the stove.
According to Barras’ neighbor, Angela Hodges, the pots overheated and exploded, which caused the home to catch fire.
Neighbors from surrounding houses were able to get Barras out of her home and to safety, but nothing could be salvaged from the woman’s mobile home.
“I heard the sirens coming and I ran outside,” said Hodges. “That’s when I saw it.”
She said her neighbor’s home was engulfed in flames. Local fire departments responded quickly, but there was not much of a home left to save when they arrived, said Hodges.
All of Barras’ possessions were destroyed in the fire, along with some of her husband’s belongings.
Ernest Barras moved into Highland House in September of last year. Barras had some of his clothing with him at the assisted living facility, but he also lost clothes and possessions in the fire.
“They don’t have anything,” said John Kelly, Highland House manager.
Kelly and Hodges said this is the second time the couple has lost their home to a fire. Their mobile home stood on the spot of their original house, which burned down several decades ago.
“I know that’s a lot of trauma,” said Kelly. “He just kind of feels helpless.”
Though the family has received some assistance from the American Red Cross and Mason’s Samton Lodge, the Barras are still in need of any assistance the community can offer. Individuals who would like to help the Barras family can do so by donating clothing for the couple. The Barras are both described as being small in build. Delores wears a size 10-12 in pants, a medium in shirts, a large in jackets and a size six in undergarments. Ernest wears smaller men’s clothing.
The couple could also benefit from gift cards to any local businesses, dog food and a temporary home for their pit bull-mix, Spooky, said Hodges. Locals can also help out by donating some of their time to help clean up the wreckage left from the fire, so a new mobile home can be moved onto the spot.
Anyone with items or time to donate can contact Hodges at 832-457-8035 or angela(at)padre.net.
Hodges also encourages anyone with the ability to donate or loan Barras a temporary mobile home of any kind to call her.
“It doesn’t have to be big at all,” said Hodges.
Kelly has offered to use Highland House as a drop off place for donations for the family. Clothing and other items can be taken to the assisted living facility at 710 N. Main St. in Highlands. Anyone who has questions about donating items can contact Kelly at 832-428-8100.
Baytown Sun Published February 22, 2007 A Tuesday morning fire left a Highlands woman homeless for the second time.
Delores Barras, 64, of Highlands was asleep in her home on Poinsettia Lane when the blaze began. It started around 4 a.m., as a result of an accident. Barras had several space heaters in her home, and fell asleep while boiling water on the stove.
According to Barras’ neighbor, Angela Hodges, the pots overheated and exploded, which caused the home to catch fire.
Neighbors from surrounding houses were able to get Barras out of her home and to safety, but nothing could be salvaged from the woman’s mobile home.
“I heard the sirens coming and I ran outside,” said Hodges. “That’s when I saw it.”
She said her neighbor’s home was engulfed in flames. Local fire departments responded quickly, but there was not much of a home left to save when they arrived, said Hodges.
All of Barras’ possessions were destroyed in the fire, along with some of her husband’s belongings.
Ernest Barras moved into Highland House in September of last year. Barras had some of his clothing with him at the assisted living facility, but he also lost clothes and possessions in the fire.
“They don’t have anything,” said John Kelly, Highland House manager.
Kelly and Hodges said this is the second time the couple has lost their home to a fire. Their mobile home stood on the spot of their original house, which burned down several decades ago.
“I know that’s a lot of trauma,” said Kelly. “He just kind of feels helpless.”
Though the family has received some assistance from the American Red Cross and Mason’s Samton Lodge, the Barras are still in need of any assistance the community can offer. Individuals who would like to help the Barras family can do so by donating clothing for the couple. The Barras are both described as being small in build. Delores wears a size 10-12 in pants, a medium in shirts, a large in jackets and a size six in undergarments. Ernest wears smaller men’s clothing.
The couple could also benefit from gift cards to any local businesses, dog food and a temporary home for their pit bull-mix, Spooky, said Hodges. Locals can also help out by donating some of their time to help clean up the wreckage left from the fire, so a new mobile home can be moved onto the spot.
Anyone with items or time to donate can contact Hodges at 832-457-8035 or angela(at)padre.net.
Hodges also encourages anyone with the ability to donate or loan Barras a temporary mobile home of any kind to call her.
“It doesn’t have to be big at all,” said Hodges.
Kelly has offered to use Highland House as a drop off place for donations for the family. Clothing and other items can be taken to the assisted living facility at 710 N. Main St. in Highlands. Anyone who has questions about donating items can contact Kelly at 832-428-8100.