Archived Story

Brundidge family needs help from community after devastating fire

Published 11:00pm Monday, December 17, 2012

While a Brundidge family was at church Friday night, their home caught on fire. As they arrived at their house on Leona Place, flames were already coming from the roof.

“The first thing that came to mind was the dog,” said Ernest Christian. “I ran in there and was able to get him out, but there were flames. I think he was affected by the fire. He seems sick, now.”

By the time firefighters arrived on scene about 11:30 p.m., the Christian’s home was too far gone. The family lost everything.

“I think our biggest concern is really having somewhere to stay,” Christian said, noting that the family had been living in a hotel. “Our checkout is Tuesday. After Tuesday, we have no home to go to.”

Christian and his wife have two girls and two boys who range in age from 11 to 16.

“They are just a beautiful family,” said Tinika Jones, who attends church with the Christians. “They are heartwarming people. They are free giving. They love God and are a delight to be around. It is heartbreaking about the fire.”

Jones and other people at the Jesus Christ Church of God the Bibleway are working to spread the news about the family’s loss in hopes the community will come to their aid.

“They really care about people,” Jones said. “It would be nice to see people help because the family is very giving, themselves.”

Those who would like to make a donation of food, clothing, shelter or money to aid the Christian family should call the church at (334) 735-0499.

“Whatever people would like to do, we are very appreciative,” Christian said. “We are just in a spot where we can’t do anything.”

The Brundidge Volunteer Fire Department, along with Banks and Hamilton Crossroads Volunteer Fire Departments, CARE Ambulance, Brundidge Police and the Pike County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

 

  1. Prophet

    Surely they had insurance?

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  2. Mook

    Really Prophet!!!!! What does that mean “Surely they had insurance.” Some people may not be as fortunate as others to have insurance. You don’t know these people situation and neither do I. The point is if you can help someone, regardless of who they are or if they have insurance, you should help. After all it is better to be able to give than have to be on the receiving end.

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  3. BLOOD

    Prophet certainly is not a native Trojan. I don’t think that we have ever had a hurricane hit Troy. Maybe, he is from Florida or Mobile Alabama. Prophet, you spend too much time and energy being pessimistic. I agree that folks should purchase home owners or renters insurance, but you write things in such an unattractive way. You never seem happy. Befriend some African Americans or find another source of income. It seems you always assert that you are financially established. I think it’s the opposite. You are underprivileged and miserable. I’m not a rich man, but I Love Jesus Christ.

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  4. Bulldogsbaby

    Have you considered the fact that maybe they aren’t the owners of the house thus insurance does nothing for them? They are homeless, they have nothing but the clothes on their back and children to care for. I’m sure they would appreciate any assistance you could give them other than criticism.

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  5. Mook

    Prohet, I hear what you’re saying and yes everyone should have insurance. But, like I stated earlier, we don’t know these people situation and it does not matter what their situation is if you can help someone, do it. They may or may not be the owners, it doesn’t matter, what should matter is this family lost the home they were living in along with everything they had. Even with insurance you don’t what to lose everything you have. Prophet maybe you can be a little more concerned about people in general, not to say that you’re not but you do sound a little insensative.

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  6. Prophet

    Virtuous i’m pleased to see you exercised the grey matter and gave the question intense thought. This is a practice question from the lsat test and please dont be embarrassed that you got it wrong. Very few can get it right. The correct answer is A. Thank you for the attempt and always remember to keep the brain exercised. To tell you the truth i picked one from the test that i got wrong too. I choose E and my logic was that traffic had increased.

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  7. LagniappeLady3

    This family has lost their home a week before Christmas. My children attend school with the children who will be homeless for the holidays. Where is the compassion? I have been in a position where I was homeless and it was devastating. I lost everything but my husband and my children.Some people were rude and insensitive to us at the time and those scars are still there almost eight years later. Some people are just hard and have lost their ability to care. Maybe they never had it. This whole discussion has turned political yet the focus should be on what we, as a community, can do to help this family.

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  8. Mook

    Prophet I hope you never have to have a helping hand. Guess you just don’t understand that some people can’t prepare because they don’t have anything to prepare with. And this article said nothing about these people not having insurance, you can have insurance and still need help. Hell, I work, got car insurance, house insurance, life insurance, hospital and health insurance and i still fall short and need help sometime. Having insurance is not the point, the point is if you can help someone you should because you never know when you may need help.

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  9. Mook

    Prophet it depends on the type of insurance you have. It’s just like having automobile insurance, if you don’t have loss of usage on your insurance it don’t provide a rental car for you in case of accident. Just like fire insurance, depending on what you have, it don’t provide food, clothes, or shelter right off until there has been an investigation. Well if you say you have sympathy for the family and are okay with that, then so I am.

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  10. Sincerity

    If anyone could help this family, please do so with the information given in this article. Please by all means do not feed into the neagative unmerciful comments made in regards to this story. Stay focused on who is in need….THANK YOU!!!!!

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  11. LagniappeLady3

    Although insurance has nothing to do with this event from a humanitarian perspective, anyone who has really been through a property loss knows that the insurance money does not magically appear. It takes time. I,for one, am doing everything that I can to help this family. They have four children and a sick pet. It is Christmas. And I also want to say that after eight years since I lost my house I still miss my Christmas ornaments every year, and my family photos, my heirlooms, and much more. sadly, people cannot be taught compassion. Merry Christmas.

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