Man saved from fire as residence burns
From our weekly issue dated May 20, 2009
IVFD firefighters tackle the blaze.
An extended family displaced by a fire at their Cave Junction home on Tuesday afternoon, May 12, has received assistance from the American Red Cross, and is seeking the means to put their lives back together.
Illinois Valley Fire District personnel responded to the structure fire at 120 N. Kerby Ave., reported at 3:21 p.m.
Scorching flames and thick black smoke were seen ripping from the home, just a few yards from an adjacent residence. A neighbor, Norbert Croft, was furiously attempting to slow the flames spread with a garden hose, to no avail.
The first firefighters on scene concerned themselves with ensuring that no one remained in the dwelling. As soon as an engine arrived on scene, some 10 minutes after the first alarm, the flames were quickly knocked down.
Maintenance Chief Chris Sherman holds a trio of rescued pets. (Photos by Michelle Binker, Illinois Valley News)
The source of the fire was determined to be hot cooking oil in the kitchen. The home and its contents were counted as a total loss. A dog and one guinea pig died due to smoke inhalation.
* * *
Miracles do happen. Timothy (Wayne) Wagner left work May 12 to get some tools, and ended up saving the life of Charles (Chuck) Herrmann.
Tammy Herrmann had just left home to bring Jessica Humberd to work at Shop Smart Food Warehouse in Cave Junction, and to pick up her daughters at school. Tammy stopped at the 76 gas station and heard people discussing the sirens, and overheard that the fire was on N. Kerby Ave. She wasn’t concerned at first, since she had just left her house and all was fine. When someone described the green house, however, she became alarmed, because Herrmann, a disabled military veteran, was home asleep.
When Tammy arrived on the scene, a man came up to her and apologized, saying that he had tried, but he couldn’t get the man out. Then the 22-year-old Wagner eased her fears by relating how he had jumped through the window, and, nearly overtaken by smoke, helped firefighters hoist the 6-4, 300-plus pound man to safety.
Herrmann was treated for scrapes to his legs and low oxygen levels, and was released from a hospital on May 13. He is currently doing a lot better, according to his family.
The house they rented was a total loss; American Red Cross is setting the family up temporarily at the Junction Inn, but housing for eight people still is needed. Clothing needs include:
Men’s double-extra-large pants (prefer pull-ons), 3XL shirts, shoes 12 ½.
Men’s 36W/32L pants, large shirts, size 12 shoe.
Men’s 38W/30L pants, extra-large shirts, shoes 11.
Maternity: 10/12 (she’s due Aug. 16).
Women’s: 44Wx30L, shoes 9½.
There are four children in the household: 11-year-old Tanner; Kaylee and Sheaelynn, both 7; and Megan, 6.
The Herrmann/Humberd Fire Fund account has been set up at Home Valley Bank. For more information or if you can help, phone Jessica and Tammy at 226-8940.
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