Fires strike two H’wick homes

Two Howardwick homes were struck by separate fires over the Christmas holiday, resulting in minor damage to one residence and major damage to another home.

The first fire occurred in the 300 block of Angel Street on December 19 about 3:30 in the afternoon, and volunteer firemen from the Howardwick and Clarendon fire departments responded.

Clarendon Fire Chief Jeremy Powell said the blaze appeared to have started in some grass west of the structure, and then wind blew the flames to the skirting of the trailer house and underneath the house.

Powell said home sustained minor fire damage and moderate smoke damage. Emergency personnel on the scene said the home was occupied by the Patrick Green family, who one year earlier on December 5, 2011, had lost their previous home to a fire immediately to the west of the current home.

No injuries were reported from the December 19 fire, and the cause is unknown at this time.

In another fire, the family of Joanne Johnsen and Ray Starr lost their Howardwick home to a blaze on night of December 26. Howardwick and Clarendon firemen were called to the scene in the 300 block of Walleye Street at 9:12 p.m.

Powell said the fire appeared to have started on the roof near the chimney and possibly had something to do with the home’s fireplace. He said flames were showing through the roof when Clarendon firemen arrived, and volunteer firemen worked for more than an hour to extinguish the blaze.

The home sustained damage from the fire as well as from water in the attic. Powell said the family probably could salvage some belongings but that the structure suffered heavy damage.

The Clarendon and Howardwick fire departments put the family up in the Best Western Red River Inn for a few days following the fire.

In a posting on the Enterprise’s Facebook page, Ms. Johnsen expressed her appreciation to those who had helped her family following the tragedy.

“I would like to thank the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department as well as the Howardwick Volunteer Fire Department in all their efforts to put out the blaze,” she said. “I would also like to extend my thanks to them for placing us in a motel for a few days while we try to sort our lives.

“December 22 my son celebrated his sixth birthday amongst friends and family in this home. December 25th we celebrated the birth of Jesus amongst friends and family in this home. Now this home basically does not exist.”

She especially thanked Teresa and Dan Dronzek,Deanna and Loyd Weatherton, Rhonda and Tom Jaramillo,. Jerry and Hilary Lucero, K.C. Lucero, the Best Western Motel and a stranger passing through town who paid for an extra night.

“I am thankful to live in such a wonderful community,” she said. “I know I owe more thanks but am at a loss right now.”