Fundraising to help New Franklin mobile home fire victims

By CHRISTINA McCUNE
BGNN managing editor

NEW FRANKLIN Terry and Kristen Miller were driving home from work when they saw the smoke.

Terry Miller recalls saying over and over again how he hoped the smoke they were seeing wasn’t coming from the couple’s home in Rex Hill Mobile Home Park.

“We get closer on it and see ours is completely engulfed,” Miller said.

Fire damaged three mobile homes and sent three people to area hospitals May 31, according to a New Franklin Fire Department news release. New Franklin fire investigators were still investigating the cause of the fire, which was undetermined as of the June 3 news release.
The fire department was dispatched to a report of a house fire 4:27 p.m. May 31 along on E Randy Street. New Franklin units arrived within five minutes and found a mobile home heavily involved in flames that had extended to the two adjacent mobile homes.

Firefighters quickly extended hose lines to protect the neighboring homes, which both received heavy damage, the news release states.

The male occupant who was home at the time of the fire was treated and transported to Akron Children’s Hospital Burn Unit. Two additional bystanders were transported to area hospitals with minor injuries.

Clinton, Coventry and Green fire departments were dispatched simultaneously. Barberton, Canal Fulton and Norton firefighters also assisted New Franklin firefighters on scene and Chippewa assisted with patient transport.

The Millers lost everything but the clothes they were wearing. Yet they are trying to stay strong to build up their lives again on their own and they have an amazing attitude. American Red Cross helped the displaced families.

Rebekka Faith organized a fundraising account for the Millers through gofundme.com to help them out. (Fundraiser by Rebekka Faith : Help Terry and Kristen Rebuild After Fire (gofundme.com) Another fundraiser has been created for a neighbor by Crystal Fisher which can be found by searching through gofundme titled “House fire including car & medical.”

The Millers’ biggest loss is their beloved pet pit bull, Vinney, which they had rescued from the pound. Besides Vinney, the couple – who has been married only two years – said they were saddened to lose their marriage certificate, Kristen’s wedding gown and photos in the fire.
“It’s just life,” Terry Miller said. “Everything can be replaced except for our dog. The only thing we had was the clothes on our back. It’s overwhelming sometimes.”

He said neighbors were just as upset about the loss of the dog. Other neighbors lost two cats in the fire.