Family needs help after fire

Published 12:01 am Tuesday, January 1, 2019

By RHONDA DUNAWAY

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — An Adams County family that lost all their possessions in a Dec. 12 fire on Redd Loop Road is in need of help, family members said.

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Andrew Smith, 26, of 81 Redd Loop Road, said he was in his family’s trailer house with his mother, Ouida Williams, 59, his Great Aunt Alena Anderson, 92, and his stepfather, Edward Proby, 53, when a fire started in the kitchen.

In the turmoil, Smith said he was able to get his mother and great aunt out of the house, but his stepfather, Proby, died in the fire.

The state fire marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.

Smith and Williams were transported to area hospitals for treatment and are now both recovering at a family member’s home from second- and third degree burns, Smith said.

“We’ve lost everything,” Smith said. “All of my mother’s and aunt’s clothes, their Bibles, pictures, everything is gone,” Smith said.

Bills are starting to come due, as well, Smith said.

“We have a lot in medical bills now, and my mother will need to return for more treatments,” he said. “We are basically homeless now, and we simply need everything you can imagine. From socks and underwear to gauze. We are staying in town with an aunt of mine temporarily, until we can find a place to go.”

Smith set up a GoFundMe account where people can contribute to the family.

The web address is,www.gofundme.com/house-fire-lost-completely-everything-thank-you.

Smith also said the family would take other donations, such as clothing, food and personal needs items. Smith can be reached at 601-493-5386.