Grass Fire Burns Retired Woman’s Home

MOSS HILL, April 15, 2008 - Shortly before 4:00 PM on Tuesday the Hardin Volunteer Fire Department responded to a grass and possible house fire on SH 105 east of Moss Hill across from Chubby’s Packing.

The department quickly called for mutual aid from the Hull Daisetta Volunteer Fire Department.

According to Firefighters, the manufactured home on the property was on fire when they arrived.

The owner of the home, a retired woman who lost her home near Segno in Hurricane Rita, had been living in a FEMA Trailer in Hardin since the hurricane. She had just found this manufactured home that she said she could afford and moved in about three weeks ago.

According to Firefighters some workmen had been clearing debris from the back of the property and set a fire inside a large metal ring, then left the property to dump a load of debris. While gone the fire quickly spread to the surrounding grassy area and set the manufactured home on fire.

The home’s owner, Mary McDowell of Moss Hill, was taking a nap when she was awakened by a Good Samaritan knocking on her door telling her the house was on fire.

Firefighters told i-dineout.com that damage to the home from fire was extensive. After the home caught fire the flames quickly spread along the ceiling throughout the house.

Ms. McDowell told i-dineout.com that she had not yet been able to secure insurance on her home.