PORT BYRON - The remnants of a Christmas tree lie limp in a pool of brown water, its gold ornaments still attached. Surrounding it are mounds of muddy debris; dangling pieces of plaster hang precariously above.
Jennifer Meyers / Special to The Citizen
Amber Keehfus and Troy Russell lost their home to a fire that started in the fireplace.
Amber Keehfus and Troy Russell lost their home to a fire that started in the fireplace.
What was white is now black. What was new is now destroyed.
The smell of soot and smoke is overwhelming. In the bathroom, white vertical lines from water damage look like flowing tears.
And yet Troy Russell, 36, and his fiancee Amber Keehfus, 21, are remarkably upbeat, considering the early afternoon fire that destroyed their Port Byron home at 44 Green St. Christmas Eve.
Keehfus said that though they've had better holidays, they tried not to let their bad luck ruin Christmas for everyone else. “We didn't want to bring other people down,” she said.
Russell estimated that the fire began around 2 p.m., while Keehfus was at work. He had just finished putting together a new living room set and decided to start a fire in fireplace. He then went into the living room to wrap a few last-minute gifts and when he returned, saw flames on the living room wall.
After grabbing his cell phone, keys and his dog, Russell ran outside and called 911 but couldn't get through. A passerby and a neighbor put a call in, and several area fire departments responded.
“It spread like wildfire,” said Russell, who has lived in the house since 1999. The garage, living room, dining room, kitchen and laundry room were all completely destroyed; the rooms toward the back of the house have varying degrees of smoke and water damage.
Whether they can rebuild or have to start from scratch, it will be a minimum of six months before they can move back in, Russell said, noting that he met with an insurance adjuster Monday.
“Everything's black and stinks to high heaven,” he added.
Despite their upbeat outlook, Russell and Keehfus concede that it's difficult to walk through their house in its current state. They were in the process of remodeling: they redid the bathroom three years ago, put a new roof on over the Thanksgiving weekend, and, just two weeks ago, installed a brand new front door.
They're not yet sure what can be salvaged but know they will never be able to replace the photographs that were lost. Keehfus has decided to keep some of the Christmas presents she was going to receive from Russell, despite the fact that they're damaged.
“She's very sentimental,” Russell said.
Russell is thankful no one was hurt in the fire - and that the couple's dog and three cats all escaped.
After the firefighters put out the blaze, the couple spent the rest of their Christmas Eve meeting with the Red Cross (with the organization's assistance, they were able to purchase some items from Wal-Mart that night) and boarding up their home.
They are now staying with Keehfus' parents in Memphis and plan to rotate among friends until they can find temporary housing.
“We never thought this would happen to us,” Keehfus said.
Staff writer Linda Ober can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or linda.ober@lee.net
The smell of soot and smoke is overwhelming. In the bathroom, white vertical lines from water damage look like flowing tears.
And yet Troy Russell, 36, and his fiancee Amber Keehfus, 21, are remarkably upbeat, considering the early afternoon fire that destroyed their Port Byron home at 44 Green St. Christmas Eve.
Keehfus said that though they've had better holidays, they tried not to let their bad luck ruin Christmas for everyone else. “We didn't want to bring other people down,” she said.
Russell estimated that the fire began around 2 p.m., while Keehfus was at work. He had just finished putting together a new living room set and decided to start a fire in fireplace. He then went into the living room to wrap a few last-minute gifts and when he returned, saw flames on the living room wall.
After grabbing his cell phone, keys and his dog, Russell ran outside and called 911 but couldn't get through. A passerby and a neighbor put a call in, and several area fire departments responded.
“It spread like wildfire,” said Russell, who has lived in the house since 1999. The garage, living room, dining room, kitchen and laundry room were all completely destroyed; the rooms toward the back of the house have varying degrees of smoke and water damage.
Whether they can rebuild or have to start from scratch, it will be a minimum of six months before they can move back in, Russell said, noting that he met with an insurance adjuster Monday.
“Everything's black and stinks to high heaven,” he added.
Despite their upbeat outlook, Russell and Keehfus concede that it's difficult to walk through their house in its current state. They were in the process of remodeling: they redid the bathroom three years ago, put a new roof on over the Thanksgiving weekend, and, just two weeks ago, installed a brand new front door.
They're not yet sure what can be salvaged but know they will never be able to replace the photographs that were lost. Keehfus has decided to keep some of the Christmas presents she was going to receive from Russell, despite the fact that they're damaged.
“She's very sentimental,” Russell said.
Russell is thankful no one was hurt in the fire - and that the couple's dog and three cats all escaped.
After the firefighters put out the blaze, the couple spent the rest of their Christmas Eve meeting with the Red Cross (with the organization's assistance, they were able to purchase some items from Wal-Mart that night) and boarding up their home.
They are now staying with Keehfus' parents in Memphis and plan to rotate among friends until they can find temporary housing.
“We never thought this would happen to us,” Keehfus said.
Staff writer Linda Ober can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or linda.ober@lee.net
Citizen
Hot Jobs
Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.