Debra Sumrall and her husband, Mike, were on a weekend get-a-way to the Mississippi Gulf Coast when they received a phone call at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning alerting them that their Jones County home was on fire.
“My brother-in-law called us and I just couldn’t believe it,” Debra Sumrall said Monday. “It was just like a dream.”
The couple and their two children — Brittney, 18, and Austin, 12 — lost everything in the fire that was reported at about midnight Sunday. Captain Brent Shennault of Fire Station No. 1 in Ellisville said the multiple story home at 551 Buffalo Hill Road was fully engulfed in flames when they arrived.
Shennault said that in addition to the Ellisville Fire Department, others responding to the fire were Boggy, South Jones, Southwest Jones, Calhoun, Pleasant Ridge, and Hebron Volunteer Fire Departments.
“They first thought my daughter was in the house,” continued Sumrall. “Both of the children were at friend’s houses while we were away.
“I’m so grateful that we were all out of the house and are all safe. There are a lot of lost memories, but you can replace material things. You can’t replace a life.”
Debra Sumrall said her son is currently staying at his uncle’s home. The remainder of the family is at her mother-in-law’s home.
“We’re waiting for the insurance adjuster to come out and take a look at the property,” said Sumrall. “I saw the pictures of the fire in the newspaper and couldn’t believe it. I didn’t know how bad it was.”
The Sumralls had lived in the five-bedroom, three and a half bathroom, wood framed home for seven and a half years.
Although the fire was under control in about an hour, firefighters remained at the sight for about five hours to make sure the flames didn’t spark back up.
According to Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna, State Fire Marshals will be on hand today to investigate the cause of the blaze. However, Jones County Sheriff Alex Hodge said deputies who responded to the fire didn’t report anything suspicious.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Photo/Charlotte A. Graham
Family ‘grateful’ all are safe after weekend blaze
Sumralls lost everything during fire
- Local News
-
-
Police investigate several burglaries on Euclid Avenue
The Laurel Police Department has taken two people into custody as the police department continues to investigate several burglaries which have occurred in the Euclid Avenue area.
-
Rotarians see huge success
The Laurel Rotary Club saw a great turnout as they sold hundreds of spaghetti plates Saturday during its annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser.
-
Arrest made in ‘fire victim’ scam case
Local law enforcement authorities have arrested the man suspected of a number of scams in Jones and neighboring counties.
-
Council to discuss pay increase
The Laurel City Council next week will once again consider granting a change concerning the city’s building inspector.
-
Agriculture is big business in Miss.
Business and industry leaders, as well as Jones County Junior College students, gathered at Ronald E. Whitehead Advanced Technology Center Thursday for the college’s 7th Annual Economic and Technology Symposium.
-
American Red Cross looking for local volunteers
The East Central Mississippi Chapter of the American Red Cross is looking for a few good men, women, boys and girls to join its team of disaster volunteers.
-
Annual Rotary Club Spaghetti dinner Saturday
The Laurel Rotary Club will conduct its annual Spaghetti dinner this weekend at the YWCO.
-
Officials pleased with Chancellor’s appointment
At 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Lance Chancellor became the new executive director of the Jones County Emergency Management Agency.
-
Get ready for control burns in the area
Area motorists and residents may notice a lot of smoke coming from some of the county’s heavily wooded areas in the coming weeks.
-
Heidelberg has a new police chief
A longtime Jasper Countian has been named the head law enforcement official in this Jasper County town.
Huey Powe is now the Police Chief for the Town of Heidelberg. - More Local News Headlines
-
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Few Answers in Death of Sons of Missing Utah Mom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Raw Video: Deadly Helicopter Crash in Australia
Raw Video: Smoke, Purported Gunfire in Syria
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
Blast Kills Husband of Missing Utah Mom, 2 Boys
Obama: US, Israel Will Work Against Iran Nukes
NJ Museum Finds 19th Century Recording
Snow Causes Disruptions in Much of Europe
Clinton: Vetoed U.N. Syria Resolution 'travesty'
Romney Picks Up Decisive Win in Nevada Caucuses
Gingrich Renews Vow to Campaign Until Convention
Romney Rolls to Easy Win in Nevada GOP Caucuses
Raw Video: Missing Family Found Alive in Ore.
Police Clear Tents From Occupy Site in DC
