Jason Futch
reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com
Between Saturday, Jan. 18, and Monday, Jan. 20, fires erupted in Suwannee County, resulting in the total loss of property for one Suwannee County man, and a close call for another local family. Family seeks assistance after fire claims home On Saturday morning, Jan. 18, at approximately 4 a.m., the home of Jay Crouch was engulfed in flames in what is believed to be an electrical fire. According to Rebecca Word, Crouch’s daughter, the fire was believed to have started on the back porch and worked its way through the home. “My dad’s house was a big, log house,” Word said. “It took 12 minutes to burn down.” Suwannee County Fire and Rescue responded to the scene, and were able to douse the flames, but were unable to save the home. Additionally, three vehicles belonging to Crouch were also destroyed. According to Word, the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office in Jacksonville arrived at the scene the following day to assess the damage and determine how the fire started. Based on the assessment, the fire was not positively identified as an electrical fire, but a preliminary review determined there were signs of such. Although the fire destroyed Crouch’s home and damaged the electrical and water sources on the property, cutting off supply to Word and her sister, who both have homes on the property, she said that his spirits are still high. “Physically, he’s okay, just had a minor burn mark,” Word said. “Mentally, he's exhausted, but keeping his spirits up. There were just things that were in that house that money just can’t buy.” While insurance is still being processed, the family has started a GoFundMe to help with assistance in fixing up a double-wide currently on the property that will serve as Crouch’s temporary home. The family is also accepting donations of building materials and Lowes or Home Depot gift cards to repair the double-wide. “Dad is good with clothes, but fixing up the double-wide is going to take some work,” Word said. They are also seeking help with food and temporary housing for Crouch until the insurance claims can come through, as lack of refrigeration spoiled their food. To help the Crouch family, visit www.gofund.me/5d3fe25c. Pool shed a total loss following fire In the morning hours of Monday, Jan. 20, Elizabeth Brooks woke up to a frightening scene: a fire by the home of her mother, Kim Ribbing. A loud explosion jolted Brooks, followed by bright orange flames brightening the early morning sky. “I just couldn’t believe what I saw,” Brooks said. “I raced over there as soon as I was woken up by an explosion and saw the fire.” Brooks said that she knocked on her mother’s door as loud as she could. While she was knocking, another loud bang came from the pool shed. “You could hear the propane tanks that were inside the shed exploding,” She said. “Then, suddenly, the roof of the shed exploded!” The explosion, as well as Brooks’s knocking, woke up her mother and step-father, Shane Ribbing, who answered the door to their daughter panicking about the fire. Suwannee County Fire Rescue was called to the scene, where they were able to help put the fire out. Other than the pool shed being a total loss, there was minimal damage elsewhere. “The only damage to my mother’s house was my sister’s window being melted,” Brooks said. She credited the swimming pool as a buffer from setting the house on fire. Amidst the chaos of the situation, her parents’ dog, Piper, had run off in a panic. It prompted a search, ultimately leading to her recovery later unharmed. The fire is believed to be electrical, pending the outcome of the State Fire Marshal’s investigation. For now, the family has a mess to clean up. It is a mess, Brooks said, her step-father cannot do it alone, and invites the community to assist in any way they can. To help the Brooks family in their cleanup efforts, contact Lizzie Brooks on Facebook.
