The Vickers? family awoke to a smoke-filled home last Wednesday as a fire swept through their Keatington Condo.
According to Lake Orion Fire Department Fire Chief Jeff Key, the fire is believed to be accidental.
‘We’re still investigating, but it appears that it may have started by the dryer,? he said.
Key said that the occupants of the home awoke on the second story to find heavy smoke, were not able to gain access to their stairs due to the fire and climbed out one of the bedroom windows onto a porch ceiling where they were rescued by local officials.
The fire severly damaged all four units located in the building, but according to Key, no one was seriously hurt, although an occupant from one of the building’s units was taken to the hospital to be checked out.
Key said the fire had the potential to have much more serious outcome, as the family’s smoke detector did not have batteries in it. They were in the process of being changed.
‘Make sure you have a working smoke detector, periodically change the batteries and don’t leave the batteries out,? Key said, noting that the family was ‘luckily? awaken by the smoke.
For the Vickers? family, this comes on top of an already difficult time. Karen Vickers, who lived in the unit with her three children, was laid-off recently, and as a result of the lost income, stopped insuring her home.
Since the family lost everything and has no insurance money to replace clothing, food, etc., efforts have already started to help the family.
Sarah Budreau, a counselor at Lake Orion High School, has been spearheading efforts at the high school to help, where money and several bags of clothing have already been donated.
?(Vickers) just needed help and had no where to go,? Budreau said, explaining what prompted her to start raising funds. ‘They lost everything.?
According to Budreau, students, staff and local businesses have been helping the family.
At last Friday’s boys basketball game, some students collected donations for the family that totaled over $360.
Pee Wee Patch has collected and donated clothing and money; Alexander’s Auto Wash & Detailing Center has donated time to look at Vickers? car, which was damaged by the smoke; Chicago Brothers Pizza has donated some food and Dr. Deck’s office donated a pair of glasses. Other business have also donated goods and services.
‘There are so many people in the community helping out,? Budreau said.
The Karen Vickers Fund has also been set up at National City Bank, and people can donate at any of their locations, or drop off donations to Lake Orion High School.
According to Budreau, besides clothing, the family also needs things like food and laundry detergent.
‘They don’t have anything,? she said, noting that the Vickers are currently staying with family.