Fire Destroys Shady Dale Home
The home of David Brosius on Stock Farm Road in Shady Dale burned up late Sunday night despite the efforts of nearly two dozen firefighters and a half-dozen apparatus.
The fire apparently began in the back bedroom shortly before 11 p.m. Mr. Brosius said he had not been home long when he smelled smoke. He got his son out of the house and called 911.
Firefighters tried to contain the blaze, but were unable to. When the fire got into the attic, it spread rapidly. Ed Westbrook, Jasper County Emergency Services Director, explained that the house had more than one roof on it, so when the fire got in the attic it was very hard to battle.
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Mr. Westbrook said that the smoke was very heavy, and there were no working smoke alarms in the home.
Investigators from the state fire marshal’s office ruled the cause of the fire as accidental. No foul play is suspected.
Mr. Brosius lived in the home with his son, Christopher, who has special needs. Another son, Raymond, lived there part-time. The house was a complete loss.
Sunday night, while watching the house burn, Mr. Brosius was most concerned about losing his wife’s things. Mrs. Brosius died October 7.
Miraculously, her doll collection, in a plastic container near a door, was virtually unharmed. In addition, her angel collection and the family Bibles were untouched.
Items from the funeral home were barely damaged; one photo was singed, said Mr. Brosius. He also had a knife collection that was saved.
Other than those personal items, all furniture, clothes, housewares, and personal items were lost.
The Red Cross paid for the family to stay at the Monticello Motel two nights, and the Willis and McBroom families have taken care of the remaining nights.
The Rev. Danny Sorrells, pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church, said that Mr. Brosius had expressed a desire to move to Arizona to be close to his daughter and grandchildren. On Wednesday, Mr. Brosius confirmed his plan to move to Arizona.
The family can still use clothing as well as cash for travel expenses.
Mr. Brosius wears pants, size 40-36, extra large shirt and jackets and size 13 wide shoes. Christopher wears size 36-30 pants, size 9 1/2 shoes and medium shirt and jacket. Raymond wears size 32-30 pants, large shirt, and size 12 shoes.
Donations may be taken to Shiloh Baptist Church, 9595 Hwy. 142 (turn left at the end of Post Road, church is on the left) or taken directly to the Brosius family in room 100 at the Monticello Motel. The need is immediate.
The home was owned by Bard Ellington.