Firefighters were called to a mobile home fire in Vanceburg early Wednesday, July 6, but were unable to save the structure and its contents.
The home was located at 56 High Street, just off Town Branch Road, in Vanceburg and was the home of Jamie “Buttons” Thurman.
Firefighters from the Vanceburg, Lewis County, and Garrison fire departments responded to the call along with Vanceburg Police Officer John Ferguson.
The mobile home was owned by Randy and Dawn Wilburn who lost their own home to a fire late last year.
Dawn Wilburn says Thurman was reportedly inflating an air mattress with an electric air pump and had gone into another room when he noticed the reflection of flames through a window.
“He went outside and immediately dialed 911,” Dawn Wilburn said.
“I’m not sure if the inflator shorted out or what happened but he made it out safely and to me that is all that matters,” Dawn Wilburn said.
“The trailer was a complete loss and all of his belongings were claimed in the fire,” she said. “Right now he is staying between friends and a building up on High Street.”
“It’s going to be a long, hard road ahead of him to try to regain what he needs and a place to call home again,” she added.
“Red Cross assisted with $125.00, so that will help a lot,” Dawn Wilburn said.
“When my house burned they were beyond excellent with their timing for help and their generosity,” she said of the Red Cross.
“Buttons has been living in a building and we finally got him some running water connected there,” she said. “I just wish something more could be done. He needs help.
Wilburn said her own family and some friends have been working to get him some necessities after the fire.
Help sought for occupant
“We got him some food a couple of household appliances, clothes and shoes,” she said. “We’re just trying to get him back on his feet.”
Wilburn is also collecting donations of household, clothing, and personal items to assist Thurman. The Wilburns are also presently working to get the site cleaned up so they can locate another mobile home there.
Sizes are 32X32 pants, large shirts, and size 10 shoes and boots.
“I want to thank everyone who has contributed in any way and those who have said prayers,” Dawn Wilburn said.
Wilburn may be contacted at 606-782-5152 or 606-541-0296 and will arrange to pick up any donations.
“Anything at all will be a big help,” she said.
She has also established a GoFundMe Page to accept donations online.
“I’m trying to raise enough money to even get him just a small camper to start in so that he has at least somewhere to call home,” she said.
The online donations may be made at https://www.gofundme.com/2d2d92hw.
“Please continue to pray for him, and God bless,” she said.
