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Highlands Today

Account Open To Help Family Whose Home Caught Fire Monday

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By BRAD DICKERSON

Highlands Today

Published: February 5, 2009

SEBRING - An account is available at Mid Florida Federal Credit Union to help a family of five whose house caught fire Monday afternoon.

The five-bedroom, one-story house, located on Fairlawn Drive near the corner of Lakewood Road, sustained more than $25,000 in damage. No one was injured but two dogs, named Sierra and Jack, died as a result of the blaze.

Glynette Whaley said she and her boyfriend Bernard Beursken, along with Ashley and Destiny Beursken, 14 and 13, respectively, and Christopher Quackenbush, 17, had just started moving into the home over the weekend.

The power was not restored until Monday. The fire started because of a box that was left on the stove when the electricity came back on, according to Whaley.

"That was the only time during the day that no one was there," she said.

The family has been staying at a local hotel, as part of emergency assistance from the American Red Cross. That assistance runs out at noon today, Whaley said.

Repairs are currently being done to their home, and the family hopes to be back in within a week.

"It didn't completely destroy the home, other than smoke damage," Whaley said.

Donations would go toward new appliances, food and a place to stay until they can re-enter the house.

Although two of the family's pets died in the fire, a third dog, 13-year-old Gypsey, was successfully revived.

Those wanting to make a donation should use member ID number 202364.

Highlands Today reporter Bill Rogers contributed to this report. Highlands Today reporter Brad Dickerson can be reached at (863) 386-5838 or bdickerson@highlandstoday.com

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