Precious Stone, executive director of Community Homes 33, a nonprofit dedicated to housing those in need, experienced a devastating house fire that completely destroyed her home and displaced her family. The blaze, which also affected a neighbor’s home, occurred on Wednesday night. Stone expressed gratitude that no one was harmed but acknowledged the profound emotional toll of losing her home.
A Devastating Loss
Stone was at work when she received the distressing call that her home was engulfed in flames. "My neighbor called and said, ‘Your house is on fire and it’s burned down,’" Stone recounted. "When I came around the corner, they had to catch me because I broke down when I saw it." The fire, believed to have started from a propane stove accident, rapidly spread to her house and a neighboring residence. A third home was also impacted by the incident.
Community Support and Resilience
Despite the personal tragedy, Stone’s experience has given her a unique perspective on the challenges faced by those she serves through her nonprofit work. "I am FEMA partnered and have been in all the tornadoes, different floods, and have helped a lot of people who are homeless," Stone stated. "I never thought that I would be on the other side of that."
The American Red Cross is providing assistance to the two families who have been displaced by the fire. Firefighters faced challenges at the scene, as cars parked in front of a nearby fire hydrant delayed their efforts to extinguish the flames. The two homes that caught fire are considered total losses.
Key Takeaways
- Precious Stone, a nonprofit director, lost her home in a fire.
- The fire also destroyed a neighbor’s home and impacted a third.
- The incident is believed to have originated from a propane stove accident.
- Stone, who helps the homeless through her nonprofit, now faces similar circumstances.
- The American Red Cross is assisting the displaced families.
- Firefighters encountered obstacles due to a blocked fire hydrant.
