» Fire destroys family's home

By Steve McCasland
Staff Writer
Thursday, June 04, 2009 | No comments posted. A father and son are recuperating after suffering smoke inhalation and cuts and burns as they broke windows and escaped a fire that destroyed an older doublewide manufactured home at 58660 Jackie Drive shortly after midnight on May 27.

Two others — the son’s mother, along with her younger son — also escaped the fire without serious injuries, but the family lost three dogs and a parrot in the blaze.

The Bandon Rural Fire Department responded with 12 firefighters, three engines and two water tenders after several neighbors reported the blaze at about 12:31 a.m.

“The home was on the ground when we got there,” said Fire Chief Lanny Boston, explaining that most of the structure was burned down to floor level — and through the floor in the area of the fire’s probable origin near a wood stove in the living room.

Two of the home’s residents were injured in their escape.

“Steven Anderson, 44, received cuts and burns to his hands and face, while his son (Kullen Anderson, 23) received burns and cuts to his feet,” Boston said. Bay Cities Ambulance personnel treated the victims at the scene. Family members later took them to Southern Coos Hospital & Health Center where they were treated and kept overnight.

Other members of the family who escaped the burning home were Mary Martz, 44, and her son, 10-year-old Austin Koehn.

Martz’ sister, Mel Garrett of Bandon, said Tuesday that both men were recovering well from their injuries. She explained that the family had awakened in their bedrooms around midnight to the loud crackling and intense heat of the fire.

“They started hollering at each other then, but when they tried to leave, the heat and smoke drove them back into their bedrooms,” Garrett said. “After about a minute, they realized they’d have to get out through the windows. They broke the glass and got out, but it wasn’t easy.”

She added that the 10-year-old was too frightened to go out the bedroom window by himself, “so Mary went out first, while holding onto him, then pulled him through.”

Steven Anderson said that once outside, family members realized their pets were still indoors. They attempted to re-enter the residence to retrieve the animals, but the fire was too intense. They lost three dogs and a parrot in the blaze, while a chihuahua escaped. The American Red Cross provided temporary housing for the family last week at a local motel, along with a supply of groceries. The family, which is relying on other family members for temporary housing this week, lost everything in the blaze.

A number of people in the community have donated furniture and other household items, along with some cash, to help the fire victims. Clothing, bedding and other household items can be dropped off at Wilson’s Market, 90 June Ave. S.E. Monetary donations can be made to the Mary Martz Fire Fund at Sterling Savings Bank.

“Bandon has been very generous,” Garrett said. “Lots of useful furniture and household items have been dropped off. Bandon is a good place to be if you ever fall down. There are a lot of real good people here who will help if you do. And it’s all been appreciated.”

She added that the family hopes that someone may have an old manufactured home or other housing that could be donated or made available at minimal expense. Nothing suitable had been found as of Tuesday.

Clothing and household items can still be dropped off at Wilson’s. Martz wears ladies size 16 clothing and size 8 shoes; Austin is a stocky child who wears boys size 12 or larger clothing; both Steven and Kullen are more than 6-feet-tall and have thin builds.

Garrett added that her sister’s regrets about losing the family’s baby pictures — and her father’s U.S. Marine Corps medals — were somewhat relieved within a couple days of the fire.

“Other family members have copies of a lot of the photos,” Garrett said. “And Mary and Steven found a lot of the medals in the ashes, so she was happy about that.”

Firefighters used 9,000 gallons of water to suppress and mop-up the fire. The home and contents were a total loss, and the fire cause was ruled accidental, Boston said.

Anyone who may be able to help the family with housing or who would like more information on clothing sizes or other specific needs can call Garrett at 347-1794.

“The generosity of people in Bandon has really lifted the family’s spirits and given them hope,” she added. “They really have been uplifted, and all the help is really appreciated.”