Mary Hall is grateful she, her children, and the family’s pets managed to make it out of their burning home earlier this month, but now she faces the daunting prospect of putting the pieces back together.
She spoke to Scope News about the process, crediting preparation and working smoke detectors for saving their lives.
“Talk with your children about fire safety and practice escape plans,” she said. “When I was younger, my parents made us practice fire drills and I thought it was unnecessary since it was our own home. But in the chaos of a fire — smoke, noise, and panic — everything changes.”
Hall noted that her sons “were initially scared and crying” when they were startled awake, but they were soon able to focus on their escape plan.
“Their quick response allowed me to have enough time to get the pets out safely, too,” she said.
First responders who rushed to the scene proved to be an invaluable resource in her family’s time of need, Hall said.
“There is no thank you big enough for these people,” she said of local firefighters. “I wish I could, but I will not ever be able to repay them or thank them enough for how they have blessed our family with fast, life-saving responses.”
Hall is now left with the task of replacing all the essentials that were lost in the fire, though she said locals have been quick to display their generosity in the days following the blaze.
“The support from our community has been overwhelming and has kept me going,” she added. “I’ve cried many tears over the last few days from loss, but the tears of gratitude have heavily outweighed that. I lost everything material — but because of that smoke alarm, I still have everything that truly matters.”
Kernersville Fire Rescue reported that the fire broke out early on the morning of November 7 at a residence in the 2500 block of Bethel Church Road. A total of five units on the scene were able to bring the blaze under control within a half hour.
The agency echoed Hall’s advice, adding: “The real heroes of this incident are the working smoke alarms in this residence. Undoubtedly the outcome of this fire would have been much different without the presence of working smoke alarms. The Kernersville Fire Rescue Department reminds everyone to check your smoke alarms monthly.”
Anyone interested in making a donation may do so via GoFundMe by clicking here or through the Venmo account Mary-Gerla-1.
Click here for an Amazon list showing a number of household items Hall still needs.
“If you have something you see on there you’d like to donate or find it cheaper elsewhere, mark it as purchased,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be new. We appreciate everything. Please text 336-329-3399 for an address to bring physical donations.”
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