The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of SIU at Carbondale. Except during vacations and exam weeks, The Daily Egyptian is published Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and TWThF during the summer semester."

Fire consumes family's home

Rosanna Angell called her father David around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday to ask for a ride home from school only to find out her house was on fire.

"When I called for a ride, he yelled 'fire' and I told him to throw water on it thinking it was just a little fire and he was overreacting," the 15-year-old Carbondale Community High School student said. "And then he said 'no, big fire.' And I told him to call 911 and get out."

After David Angell exited his home, 209 S. Pine Lane, he said he repeatedly yelled "fire" and a nearby neighbor made the call to officials.

Janice Angell and her son Charles drove down West Walnut Street to find three fire trucks, an ambulance and a police car surrounding their home. Charles Angell jumped out of the family van into the arms of his father, who was sitting in his wheelchair bundled in a pink blanket.

"What happened?" the 12-year-old asked as his mother came running to join her husband and son.

"Our house is going to be ruined," Janice Angell said while watching a high-powered stream of water jet out of the attic area. The flames had been put out quickly, but the damage would not be so easily fixed, Carbondale Assistant Fire Chief John Michalesko said.

Nearly two hours after officials arrived at the Angell residence, Michalesko said the cause of the fire was unknown. At first David Angell said he thought the fire started in the attic, believing the furnace was the cause.

Michalesko said that he believed the fire started in the laundry room, where most of the damage occurred, but said the department would continue to investigate and hopefully find a cause by process of elimination.

After walking out of the home, Michalesko approached the family, who was in the process of calling their insurance company, to inform them of the damage.

"Do you have somewhere to go tonight?" he asked the family. "Because you're looking at a lengthy time you're going to be displaced. We're talking about springtime before you move back."

The fire, which neighbors said produced a lot of smoke and large flames from the attic, caused significant amounts of water and smoke damage. Michalesko also said some of the ceilings in the back of the residence caved in as well.

However, after officials escorted the family through the home, Rosanna Angell said her bedroom did not receive too much damage as she carried out a school-owned camera, her CD collection, biology book, diary and cell phone charger.

Charles Angell ran out of the damaged home using his sweatshirt, as a guard against the smell of smoke was also surprised at the fact that his "X-Box was still alive," but disappointed that the family computer was completed melted.

The two Angell children said they were relieved to find out that their parents had not yet began shopping for Christmas presents.

However, Janice Angell was disheartened knowing the family had completely paid off the home they have been living in since 1996.

"I can't even think right now," Janice Angell said. "I guess we'll have to wait and see what the insurance company says."

After neighbors and friends stopped by to offer dinner, blankets and a place to stay for the night, the Angell family began loading into their van to warm up after spending several hours waiting in the chilly weather staring at the home they will not be able to return to until spring.

"It's only December," Rosanna explained to her brother, counting the months until spring. "December first. Isn't it a great way to start off the last month of the year?"

 

 

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