Richardson_Fire

Feature Article February 6

Feature Article February 6, 2002

LAND O'LAKES NewsWeb Home

Fire destroys Richardson homeby David BrisonThe Oso District Central Frontenac Fire Department was called to a house fire at the home of Stanley and Ella Mae Richardson, south of Sharbot Lake on Road #38, near the Tryon Road. Chief Mel Conboy says that by the time the fire department arrived, there were already flames shooting through the roof. The house burnt to the ground. No one was in the house at the time.

The flames were fanned by very high winds. A tanker and ten men from the Hinchinbrooke District Fire Department assisted the Oso District Fire Department. The efforts of the fire departments were centred on successfully saving two outbuildings which were close to the burning house.

The Oso District Department did not leave the scene until after midnight. It took that long to put the fire completely out. The department is investigating the cause of the fire. They are not yet ready to make a final report.

The Richardsons, who were covered by insurance, lost everything in the fire. They have been staying this week at their daughter Debbies home in Kingston. They are moving into an apartment at Marivern Manor, owned by Marion Barker. Ella Mae reported, as we went to press, that she and Stanley had bought the necessities for the apartment, and are now able to move in. They plan to build again on the same place as soon as they can get the site cleared.

The community has been very helpful; we have had offers of physical help and a place to stay. Jocelyn at the Sharbot Lake Pharmacy has replaced all the medications we take, which were burned in the fire. Marion Barker has been very helpful, as have others. I hope to be back to half-normal, whatever that is, by the end of this week. It will be very difficult to replace everything well need when we move back in to our new home, Ella Mae said.

The Sharbot Lake Anglican Church is in the process of setting up a relief fund for the Richardsons. Anyone wishing to donate to the fund should contact the Reverend Bruce Geddes at 279-2192.