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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend June 1, 2005 Luis Davila carries his 22-month-old son, Abraham, through the charred remains of their home, which was destroyed in a May 18 fire that left the family virtually homeless and penniless. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Family loses all in house fire No one was hurt in blaze that destroyed their manufactured home and contents By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune CENTRAL POINT — Luis Davila picked up his young son, stepped over a melted Hula-Hoop and carried him into the burned-out husk of their former home. The toddler squirmed in his father’s arms. "He was the one inside the house when the fire started," said Davila, looking at the charred wreckage — then back at his 22-month-old son, Abraham. Davila’s three older children were at school late on the morning of May 18. Davila was at a neighbor’s house. Davila’s wife, Silvia, popped in Abraham’s favorite cartoon video — "Finding Nemo." Silvia’s plan was to keep the boy occupied while she slipped out to the yard to do some chores, he said. Advertisement "She put in Nemo and was feeding the dog," said Davila, 39. But looking back towards the house, Silvia saw a sight that sent her heart racing. Black smoke was billowing out of the windows. "She ran in and grabbed my son," said Davila. "Then she came running down the street crying ‘Luis! Luis! Our house is on fire!’ " Davila, two doors away, responded quickly to his wife’s calls. The trailer’s phone lines, already melted, were useless. Neighbors called 9-1-1 as Davila used the garden hose in a futile effort to stem the furious blaze engulfing the 25-year-old single-wide mobile home. Silvia tried to calm her terrified son. "He had smoke coming out of his nose," said Davila. Fire officials said the fire at 5710 Gebhard Road probably started in the family’s wood stove. Although fire crews arrived within seven minutes, the home was already fully ablaze, said Central Point Deputy Fire Marshall Don Hickman. Thirteen firefighters, assisted by six training students at Central Point and Eagle Point high schools, worked to keep the blaze from spreading to adjacent structures. "We have digital photos of the fire blowing out the windows," said Hickman. "They absolutely did lose everything." Davila is grateful no one was hurt in the blaze, but the loss of their uninsured home and its contents — estimated at a total of $33,000 — has been a severe blow. "That cute little boy was pretty upset," said Hickman. "Mr. Davila told me the stuff can be replaced, but his family can’t." The American Red Cross is working to provide some relief, while neighbors have donated clothes and food. But, for now, the six-member family is crammed into one of the property’s outbuildings, Davila said. Davila’s 9-year-old daughter, Diane, attends sixth grade at Scenic Middle School. She said living in relative homelessness in the aftermath of the fire "has been a nightmare." "It’s hard to sleep," said Diane. "I’ve been used to this house since I was born." Willie Woolfolk has worked with Davila for the past seven years. Both are union laborers and Woolfolk said their union has raised about $500 to help the family. But more is needed, he said. "He’s got a family ... ," said Woolfolk. "Clothes, food, toys — all gone. I’ve never had anything like that happen. It must be devastating." Davila said his priority is getting his family back on its feet. Then he admits he’s at a loss as to what to do next. "I’m no rich man," said Davila. "I’ve been poor all my life. But we lost quite a bit." Donations may be made to the Luis and Silvia Davila Fire Fund at Rogue Federal Credit Union, account number 1471921. Reach reporter Sanne Spechtat 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Discount Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Advertisement s