Lewes homeowners find prayer cards amidst charred rubble
LEWES, Del. – A fire investigation is underway after a Lewes home was destroyed by flames in a blossoming community, Monday night. But amidst the devastation, there’s a reminder that local communities can be the support and backbone needed during a difficult time.
The homeowners didn’t want to talk to 47 ABC on camera but they shared a very powerful moment. Believe it or not, they were able to salvage a few items. The homeowner found a few prayer cards sitting on her jewelry box, that were basically untouched. It’s a moment that speaks for itself because fortunately no one was hurt in this tragic fire.
“From our house, it looked like it was two or three houses with how big the flames were,” says Nicole Noleman, who lives across the street from the Coastal Club neighborhood.
It’s hard not to notice the charred home, in an otherwise pristine Lewes neighborhood, after a massive fire broke out.
“It was just a complete blaze. All you could see was orange,” says Noleman.
Almost five different fire departments got to the Coastal Club neighborhood by 9 p.m. but the home was already engulfed.
“It was scary. Especially with any wind, we knew it was going to jump to our house,” says Anthony Spinelli, who lives next door to the damaged home.
While Spinelli wasn’t home when the fire started, his neighbors made sure to keep him in the loop.
“Our phones started going crazy. The community really everyone was concerned about where my dog was, how they could get to her all that stuff and telling us about the house and obviously the neighbor’s house,” says Spinelli.
The flames were so hot that four other nearby homes were damaged windows blown out siding melted right off the walls.
“We’re boarding it up now, blocking the windows, tarps, the roof, just in case Dorian does hit us in a few days we don’t have additional damage with water,” says Spinelli.
As neighbors repair their own homes, they’re not forgetting about the people who need their help the most. “They’re really coming together. There’s been stuff on Facebook about doing fundraisers. There’s already fundraisers put together at the Clubhouse to help the family in need,” says Spinelli.
One of the homeowners is actually a Vietnam Veteran. On Tuesday afternoon, he took the American flag that was hung on his home before the fire and put it back up. It was another very powerful moment. Even though it was partially burned, that was his way of saying his family isn’t going to give up.
Investigators are still working to figure out exactly what sparked the fire, which caused $750,000 in damages.
If you are interested in donating to the family, you can find the Go Fund Me here.
