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Neighbors assist family left homeless after fire

By David Heitz

Staff writer

While Carol Stream resident Laura Ramey was sifting through what remained of her burned-out home after it was destroyed by a fire last month, she found something that provides her family hope and restores her faith after losing everything in the fire.

On the dresser in the master bedroom, Ramey found her Bible, which was completely undamaged among the burnt-out items in the home.

"I found the Bible where I left it, on the dresser, which was so badly damaged we had to pry the drawers open with a crowbar," she said. "Seeing that Bible, sitting on top of the dresser, completely undamaged, that is when I decided that I was thankful for what we still have."

The community is reaching out to the family left homeless by the fire, and one of their neighbors has set up a fund to assist the family while they are staying at a hotel while their home is rebuilt.

Michelle Chafer, of Carol Stream, is organizing the Laura Ramey Family Fund to assist the Ramey family, who lost their home in the fire over Memorial Day weekend after lightning struck it.

Ramey said lightning from a late afternoon storm May 29 struck the roof of their home, which led to an explosion and the collapse of the upstairs ceiling. She said the family had just gone into the basement of the home when the storm appeared to be getting worse minutes before the strike. No one was injured in the incident.

An inspection by the Carol Stream Fire Protection District and building inspectors that day resulted in the house being labeled unsafe, and the family went to a hotel for the night. No fire was detected by the fire department at that time, and the family was told they would need to wait a couple days before they could return, Ramey said.

However, at about 5:30 the next morning, Ramey said the family was shocked when they got a call the house was on fire, and the upstairs was in flames, she said.

While Ramey believes the lightning caused the fire 12 hours later, Carol Stream Fire Protection District Chief Mark Bodane said the final report has not yet been released from county fire investigators, but that the cause appears to be inconclusive.

Bodane said the lightning may have contributed to the blaze, which is estimated to have caused about $145,000 in damages, but the investigation could not prove that. He said the fire started in an upstairs bedroom of the home.

"Lightning strikes can do strange things, but we just don't know what happened in the 12 hours between the strike and the fire," he said.

As a result of the fire, Ramey, her husband, two of their three children and three grandchildren -- two boys, ages 4 and 2 and a 9-month-old baby girl -- are living in one room at the Holiday Inn in Glen Ellyn.

Ramey said the family only had hazard, or structural, insurance on the home, so none of the items that were in the home will be covered by insurance, only the actual house. All the belongings in the home need to be replaced by the family, and the insurance does not cover the hotel stay.

Chafer said the Rameys are currently paying $43 a day, or $302 per week, to stay at the Holiday Inn, while also paying a mortgage on the home. She is asking that anyone in the community who is willing can make a donation to help them offset the cost of the hotel stay, as well as donate any clothing, personal items or furniture that the family can use.

"Thanks to the kindness of the hotel staff and some people who have made donations we are paid up at he hotel until mid-July," Ramey said. "But I honestly am not sure what will happen after that."

To help assist the family, Chafer has organized a fundraiser at a beauty salon in Lombard. The fundraiser will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 12, at Salon Alore Ltd., 325 S. Main St. in Lombard.

Chafer said the proceeds from all the haircuts and mini-manicures collected during that time will be donated to the family. The salon is also looking for stylists and manicurists who would be willing to donate their time during the event, she said.

Anyone looking to make a donation to the family can do so by mailing checks, gift cards, and items to Chafer, in care of Mrs. Laura Ramey and Family, 412 Aztec Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188, or can e-mail Chafer at cmichelle@mindspring.com.

While the family lost all their possessions in the home, including clothing and personal items, their immediate concern is to find shelter while the family continues to wait for the insurance company to provide them relief. Another concern is the family cannot cook in the hotel, meaning they are forced to eat out all the time, which is also taking a toll on their family finances, Chafer said.

"Our hope is that people can donate gift cards for local restaurants and to stores, so they can purchase necessities for the baby, such as playpens and cribs, which were lost in the fire," she said.

Other items needed include ready-to-eat packaged foods, baby products and diapers, and clothing

While Ramey admits the road ahead for the family will be difficult, she said her religious faith will keep them strong and will guide them through the ordeal.

©2006 Liberty Suburban Chicago Newspapers.