No humans were injured in any way, shape, or form. Not even a bruise.
Annabeth’s parents, Mary and Wes Deats, and their three Sheltie-dogs were visiting, and asleep in the guest room very near the fire when it started. One of Mary and Wes’ dogs, Ollie, didn’t make it out. Shout (Drew and the Annas’ dog) was unharmed.
The house is a pile of rubble.
Just rubble. That’s it.
Two days later (as I write and post this), the rubble is still smoldering.
 |
standing as everything else burned (flames leaping more than 20 feet into the air). Unfortunately, the steel structure had to be collapsed by a crane shortly after this newz photo was taken, in order to better “control” the burn. |
Chimney remained standing in spite of the deluge, but soon was also considered “unstable.” So, it was pulled down, too. |
 (This was the scene when Kim and I arrived.) |
Everything was insured! So, all their possessions can be replaced without financial hardship. The only things that cannot be “replaced” are the Deats and Miller family heirlooms, the photos, and things of that sort.
Immediate needs for clothing and housing have already been entirely seen-to by Family and Friends who live in the area. In fact, as of Sunday, November 19th, Drew and Anna have already found a house to rent!
QA3 has provided office space and equipment for Drew to use until he has his new home office established.
Drew and the Annas are enormously fortunate in the amount of help they have already received. For example: A retiring Lt. Colonel, who happens to be the same size as Drew, has already offered to give Drew his uniforms, replacing those lost in the fire. Additionally (and, perhaps more-importantly), without even asking if it was needed, this same gentleman left his daughter’s car (she’s out of town and not using it for a month or more) at a neighbor’s house for Drew and Anna’s use!!! Obviously Drew and Anna DID need an extra car, and are happily using it.
