THE HOUSE THAT BURNED DOWN ON JOSEPHINE

I FEEL AWFUL, THE GUY MR. ROBERT WEST, LIVES RIGHT BEHIND ME, MY NEIGHBORS WOKE ME UP AT 4:30 TELLING ME OUR BACKYARDS WERE ON FIRE, YOU COULD TELL IT WAS HIS LOT, YES HE IS THE GUY THAT OWNES ALL OF THE STUFF ON JOSEPHINE , PLUS THE TWO LITTLE DOGS, THE GUY IS THE NICEST GUY YOU COULD POSSIBLY MEET, HIS HOUSE AND HIS CARS ALL BURNED DOWN LAST NIGHT, I JUST PASSED HIM IN MY CAR AND HE LOOKS AWFUL, ME AND MY HUSBAND ARE GOING TO SEE IF HE NEEDS ANYTHING, DOES ANYONE KNOW IF HE HAS FAMILY? I DONT THINK HE DOES, AND I DOUBT HE HAD INSURANCE ON HIS BELONGINGS, IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO HELP HIM OUT, PLEASE EMAIL ME, SITTING THERE LAST NIGHT JUST THINKING IT WAS JUST HIS CAR AND A TREE OR TWO, NOW TO FIND OUT IT WAS PRETTY MUCH ALL HIS STUFF, IT IS JUST SO SAD, DOES ANYONE KNOW IF HIS DOGS ARE O.K. YES THEY ARE THE ONES THAT LAY ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT THEY DO NOT BOTHER ANYONE, THEY SAID THAT THEY CALLED ANIMAL CONTROL, DID THEY TAKE THEM? DID THEY MAKE IT? DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE THE FIRE STARTED, ITS A LITTLE CRAZY AT 4AM IT STARTS, THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE CARS, SO WHY WOULD A CAR CATCH ON FIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, PLEASE HELP THIS MAN OUT, HIS NAME IS ROBERT WEST, HE LIVES ON 1500 JOSEPHINE ROAD BETWEEN CLEVLEAND SCHOOL ROAD AND CORNWALLIS,MY EMAIL IS AWHITEGLOVECLEAN@AOL.COM

 

So did the man's house burn down, too? You can't tell that from the stories on WRAL and the N&O, they just talk about cars and a wooded area.

 

YES THEY JUST PUT THAT ON THERE, IS HOUSE IS GONE, HE HAD SOOT ALL OVER HIS FACE, AND THE COAT HE HAD IS NOT HIS COAT, I FEEL AWFUL

 

I am so sorry that happened to him. I will certainly keep him in my prayers.:grouphug:

 

Thank you, he is around 60, i just wrote to wral to see if they can tell the whole story, maybe he can get some donations, i wrote a letter and i am putting it in his mailbox for him, my neighbors said they didnt see him on his lot, when my husband gets home we were going to walk back there and see if he needed anything,if he is not there, i am putting the note in the mailbox for him, its just so sad, he had two dogs, i hope they got out, they were like his two kids

 

there is still a house on his property, not sure if its livable or not but either way,this man was dealt a serious blow, but he still has his health at least, animal control was called in to just keep a few dogs out of our way, they wanted to keep going towards the area that was burning, by the time AC got there, the dogs were already taken care of by neighbors i think, if you want to know more info ill do my best to answer them

 

that would be great, i know there are a few strays that visit his property, he had two med sized white or tanish dogs, i know there is a white one that comes and visits as well, i seen him this morning, but not his two, he had three structures on his property, one is left, the one that burned down was the house him and his mom lived in until she passed about 5 years ago from diabetes, so he moved into the other house, which also burned down, now there is one, but i am not sure if the one that is still standing is livable, do you have any idea what caused the fire? if it started with the cars, then to me someone idiot set it, if it was in the house, maybe electrial or a kerosene heater, i wish i knew, this is just driving me nuts right now, its my anniversary today 9 years, and me and my husband could care less about celebrating it, we just want to make sure he is o.k. he just looked really bad, i know you would look bad, i just feel really bad for him, you can tell his stuff, which others thought was the "junkyard" but that was his stuff from over the years. He is a really nice guy, i think people just thought of the way he lived, that they looked down at him, he is my neighbor, and i consider him a part of my family as well

 

So sorry to hear about this browneyedgirl. Normally my hubby would have been at that fire but he was up last night with some sort of stomach bug.

Can you give us sizes so we can see if we have any clothes that may fit him?

Please keep us informed so we can try to help.

Good luck and lots of prayers for your family and Mr. West.

 

Mr West is OK and the dogs are fine

Folks,

Just got back from a short visit with Mr. West. He'll be staying with his niece for a bit. The dogs are fine. He's still trying to sort things out, but at least he's OK and so are his beloved four pawed friends. We took a box of food stuff down to him. His spirits seem great.
He did remark that he's heard from quite a few of the families that live along Josephine, and that they've all been gracious and friendly.

On that note, it can't hurt to stop in for a bit and say hello.

H6

 

Thanks for the update and being such a wonderfully kind family. We don't live near the area but while reading the Thread I felt very sorry for the man. Am glad that you let us know about him and his four legged friends.

Sherry

 

I'm so glad to know he and the doggies are ok.

Since he's staying with a neice, if anyone talks to him, get a list of WHAT he needs!

 

Me and my husband, plus one of the other neighbors in Island Creek, which we all back up to his lot or Josephine went over to visit him , he is going to his nieces in Coats, he did however state that once the fire is totally out, he would love to get even a trailer back on his lot, but there is alot of cleanup, maybe we can all coordinate and just clean up where his house was at, it is totally burned to the ground, there are alot of hot embers and he wants to stick around in case it flares up, he did put his dogs in a pen, since there were so many people coming on his lot, plus his rooster is fine as well, he is a very sweet person, but after talking to him. i dont think he has any insurance, he was going through the embers looking for stuff he can salvage, but like he said, he wants to rebuild but there is alot of work and he said maybe he can get a trailer back here, he just needs some people to pitch in and help. he loves company, so if anyone wants to stop and say some words to him, he loves company. I did give him my phone number since he knows me from me and him talking in our yards with each other, but i might go over in the morning if he is there and see clothes wise what he might need, he seemed happy that people cared and came to show support, but you can tell he has alot on his mind, any ideas? anyone can donate anything or some time?

 

I'll make some time for him. As soon as we can get it started, the modern equivalent of a "barn building", could work as a "lot clearing." And, please get the clothes sizes. Lord knows I'm neither faddish, fashionable nor wanting for clothes. As for furniture and appliances, i have a great fridge (no freezer) that I'll give him...and between all of us..linens, blankies, towels, wash cloths...we could get him set up right.

Would be nice to look inwards to help those around us in need here.

 

Ditto with our family. Don't know him or the area so we would like a coordinated group to help with the cleanup. Can bring some teens along who play football that can move bigger items.

Sherry

 

Wow, this is great, I cannot believe how many people want to lend a hand, thats about what it is i would say is barn size, it just needs cleaned, we have a trailer, but its not a big one, just one you put on the back of like an suv or truck to drag stuff around, it has low sides. any ideas? He would appreciate anything he could get I know that, he is not a picky man at all, just a very sweet older man that could really use some good company and friends right now to pull it all together, I could ask him, if he is on his lot tomorrow if and when he could start to use the help to clear the spot out, i want to make sure he has all of the leafing through that he wants done, i dont want to throw anything away that might be of of sentimental value to him, I would imagine in the next week, does anyone have any time, i know i have some pillows and blankets, and pending size, he is an avarage man, not big not small, i would say around 5 8 or 5'9, but not good on the wieght part, lol. I will ask tomorrow, I know he grabbed his cell phone, his charger for it and his checkbook and that was it,He needs some help with building or does anyone know of businesses that would donate time or materials , he needs a whole new foundation, either poured or he had half of concrete blocks and half wood, the concrete blocks are still inact, but the wood is scorched,

 

I do not have a way to dispose of items that are cleared so that will need to be coordinated. The teens probably could come on the weekend and get a lot done. I will ask some builders I know about the slab and donating everything but please don't get his hopes up on that.

Sherry

 

i am not saying a word about anything to him except helping to try to clear out his lot, but nothing about the foundation or anything, i got on Craigslist to try to find some free furniture and stuff, hey if its free, he really is not picky at all, just down on his luck and he is such a positive person, he was joking around today, but then when he would look back at his house, he would just stop and stare, i want to help, it would be great to get some help on the weekend, that is when i think i could help out alot as well, my house is right behind his, they built our subdivision around his lot, i told him he is part of our nieghborhood as well, we all know him and his dogs, any help would be wonderful. Thank you so much. : )

 

I'll be available during the week but not on Saturday, due to prior family obligation. Sunday is ok as well. Give a shout out so we have an idea.

 

would anyone have a dump truck or front end tractor we could borrow>

 

So sorry to hear of this poor man's loss. My wife and I are out at Wilmington for the weekend but I do have a dresser and maybe a small fold out couch/bed that he is welcome to. I can also deliver it for him. These items were given to us after our house fire. I'll ask the wife if she has anything to contribute. Is there a fund set up for him?