TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Neighbor Helps Family That Lost Work Tools In Fire

ADVERTISEMENT

By LAURA NESBITT

Highlands Today

Published: March 10, 2009

LAKE PLACID - The importance of good neighbors can't be denied.

When Dottie Hackett found out that Todd and Ellen Tillman had lost tools worth $20,000, along with family heirlooms, in a fire March 2 that destroyed two outbuildings, she got busy. Hackett and her neighbors donated a total of about $200 to Bagwell Lumber Co.

Owner Gary Bagwell said he discounted the lumber that his company delivered to the Tillmans to rebuild their shed.
Hackett said she is also trying to organize a yard sale.

"Anything the community wants to help them with," Hackett said. Hackett has lived in Lorida since 1984.

The two outbuildings are a "total loss," said Lorida Volunteer Fire Department Chief Swen Swenson, but the Tillmans, who are renting the property, remain optimistic.

"There's a lot to be thankful for," Ellen Tillman said.

The heat from the fire melted the aluminum siding off a portion of the back of the trailer, Ellen Tillman said.

"(The fire) was right there at the end of the house that my son's room is on," she said. Nathan Barouch, Ellen's 11-year-old son, was in the house at the time.

No one was harmed in the fire.

Swenson confirmed that firefighters had "some trouble" with the siding on the house, but said that the 10 firefighters on the scene handled the fire effectively. The chief added that the wind was blowing away from the trailer, which assisted firefighters.
Hackett said her son saw the flames and called the fire department.

"He walked out and saw this glow and thought my trailer was on fire," Hackett said.

The Lorida Volunteer Fire Department was called to the scene at about 11 p.m. They were assisted by DeSoto City and Leisure Lakes departments. Firefighters had the flames under control in about 15 minutes but stayed for a couple of hours dousing the ashes, Swenson said.

Two fence posts that were near the fire burned the following day. Todd Tillman and his aunt, who is the owner of the property, Barbara Hartzog, have replaced those fence posts.

Swenson said firefighters have seen that sort of thing before.

"What happens is that they don't burn - they smolder," Swenson said.

"A fence post is really a tree. They burn from the inside out and you can't tell that they're burning. On brush fires we get that all the time. As long as it isn't an active fire, that's normal."

But Ellen Tillman said that some of the items that were lost can't be replaced.

"My son's first picture with Santa Claus is a little singed, but I feel blessed that I have anything left," Ellen Tillman said.

The outbuilding structures were insured but not the contents inside, said Hartzog, who is renting the mobile home and outbuildings to the Tillmans. They were just married in November and were saving their money to buy a house. Todd Tillman does marine construction for a living. He said he is still able to work without the tools that burned.

"All the luxury tools went, but you can get back to the basics and still get the job done," Todd Tillman said.

Highlands Today reporter Laura Nesbitt can be reached at (863) 368-5857 or lnesbitt@highlandstoday.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT