news After Devastating Fire, Gulfport Family Returns Home By Laura Mulrooney
LAURA MULROONEY
It’s been almost two and a half years since the Thomas and supplies, storage, legal services and even a loaner family lost their home, car and family pet to an electrical vehicle for the family. fire. With the help of neighbors Tom and Pia Goff and many, “If it weren’t for the people of Gulfport, I wouldn’t have many more giving souls from the community, Sharon a house to come back to. I’d still be staring at four walls. Thomas and her daughter Shanicke are finally back in their I appreciate everyone very much,” said Thomas. “I didn’t own home. know how good the people in Gulfport were until this On the evening of Tuesday, May 1, 2018 Thomas said she happened.” heard a “pop” while she was home; soon her house and On Friday, November 20, Thomas sat in the carport vehicle were engulfed in flames. of her freshly rebuilt home, surrounded by soot-covered “It was an electrical fire,” Thomas explained. “The house belongings that have been in a storage pod in her front was built in the 1950s and the wiring had never been yard for more than two years. updated. It started in the carport and took over fast. “Right now I am tired, but I am happy to be back in my “Thank God we weren’t sleeping,” Thomas said. “My house,” said Thomas. “There’s nothing better than being neighbor saw the fire and was calling for back in your own place.” us to come out and I was already headed For the past two years, Thomas out because I like to sit in the carport in “I didn’t know how good lived with her sister, initially wearing her the evenings.” the people in Gulfport sister’s clothing because everything the Unfortunately, she had paid her were until this happened.” family owned was damaged by smoke mortgage off just a few months prior to and unusable. the fire, and the house was not insured. Thomas now has the task of Thomas didn’t know what to do next – but her neighbors washing and drying every item of clothing and cleaning did. the soot from everything else. It’s a hefty task, but one “If it weren’t for Pia and Tom Goff, I wouldn’t have a she says she’s happy to take on. house right now,” Thomas said. “Pia was the one that But first, Thomas said, “I’m going to cook a big dinner. organized for me to get donations and I appreciate her It’ll be a big dinner of island food.” very much.” For now, she’s grateful to be back in her own home. While the Goffs lead the effort, community groups “When I get myself organized, I’ll start thinking about like the Gulfport Neighbors, the MY Foundation, the getting furniture, but there’s no need to rush that. I’ll Gulfport Historical Society, as well as the Gulfport Police be happy and content with what I got,” Thomas said. “I Department, the City of Gulfport and local businesses thank God that I’m alive, that I got out of the fire alive. also mobilized to help the family with monetary donations Me and my kids got out alive – everything is good.”
theGabber.com | December 3 - December 9, 2020
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