Neighbors help family after fire
Toolbox
By Gordon Dritschilo Staff Writer - Published: November 16, 2009
POULTNEY — Andrew Stone said he didn't realize what a great place his hometown was.
Since Stone, his wife and four children lost their home in a fire last week, he said the support has been overwhelming.
"The community's been really helpful," the 30-year-old said Friday. "We've had tons of donations. We have bags of clothes we haven't even looked through yet."
In addition to friends and neighbors, Stone said he's had help from the Red Cross, the Poultney Rescue Squad and Fair Haven Concerned.
"Lots and lots of people that we don't even know have been bringing stuff right to where we're staying and dropping it off," he said. "I never knew there were so many caring people in Poultney."
The Stones are living a few miles down Lewis Road from their property, in a camper outside the home of friend Randy Babcock.
"That was our first choice," Stone said. "We have four children so it was 'hurry up and find somewhere to stay.'"
Babcock said he ran a power cord out to the trailer and the Stones use Babcock's bathroom.
"I have them hooked up right next to my house," Babcock said. "He didn't want to hook up to water and sewer — he just wanted to stay in the camper because he didn't know how long it was going to be."
Stone's children range in age from 5 to 11, and the Babcocks have four children of their own. With one bathroom for 12 people, he said mornings are hectic.
"They cook in the house," Babcock said. "We plan our meals together — just one neighbor helping another."
Firefighters from four towns converged on the blaze, which they said they believed started in the kitchen.
"The fire department called it a total loss," Stone said. "We've recovered a little bit. There were two rooms undamaged by the fire — our bedroom and our eldest daughter's room. We were able to recover a little from there."
Among the losses were 10 guns Stone said were handed down to him by his grandfather through his father that he intended to pass on to his sons. They lost the rest of their hunting equipment as well, he said, though a friend has stepped in and set them up so he can take his eldest out for the beginning of deer season.
Stone said he hopes to rebuild on the same lot when legal issues with his insurance provider are sorted out.
gordon.dritschilo@rutlandherald.com
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