Community pitches in to help family rebuild

March 18, 2005

DAWN De BUSK/Frontiersman reporter

MAT-SU - The grown daughter of a Big Lake man, whose family lost their home and savings in a fire last month, has been spearheading a campaign to obtain enough building materials to construct a new home on the property her father owns.

John Edwards and his family - Evelyn Sterns, Jeremy Sterns, 21, Shalia Edwards, 13, and Tiffany Johnson, 14 - were not home when their Big Lake structure burned to the ground the morning of Feb. 23.

Edwards had just finished building his house and moving in the furniture when the fire happened. He kept his savings in a tin box, and when he went through the rubble, he discovered the cash in the tin box had disintegrated, said Billie Wier, Edwards' daughter.

"They're lucky no one was home," Wier said. "I've never seen a grown man cry before."

While she was at work, Evelyn Sterns received the call from Edwards that her home was on fire.

"You don't know how devastating it is until it happens to you," Evelyn Sterns said. "My dad died in 1970. We lost all of his stuff … the kids' school pictures … nothing was saved from it."

"The community of Big Lake has been awesome (in helping out)" she said.

Already, the community and other Alaskans have donated items or cash to help the family. Wier has been requesting donation of building materials so the family can rebuild.

"We have enough people - about 30 people - to help build. All we need is more building supplies donated," Wier said.

The original structure, a two-story, four-bedroom house, was built on wooden platforms. The fire completely demolished the home and a bulldozer was used to clear away the rubble last month. They also lost their garage and a boat that was stored in it. The family's two vehicles were spared.

Edwards wants to build his new home on a concrete foundation. Wier said he plans to purchase the cinder blocks and contract someone to build the foundation. It should take only a day to dig the hole and pour the foundation, she said.

With all the volunteers to help with the home-raising project, it should only take four days to get the house finished, Wier said.

The Red Cross donated $900. In addition, the Red Cross gave the family bathroom supplies. The Big Lake Lion donated $500, Evelyn Sterns said.

Jim Dukes, who owns a small electric business, has agreed to wire the new home for free.

Employees at Spenard Builders Supply in Big Lake have supplied Edwards with an account to get building products for just barely above cost, Wier said. Also, Arctic Builders Source has been providing materials at employee cost, which is 10-percent off.

R & R, Recycled & Re-used, has donated cabinets and put the family on the list for drywall, when that becomes available.

An anonymous couple from Eagle River sent a dozen doors to the Big Lake family.

"Yeah, we'll be able to use them all," Evelyn Sterns said.

Carpetman in Wasilla gave scraps of carpet to help with the floors of the new home once it's built.

Community members have reached into their pockets to provide the Edwardses with financial donations. Also, clothes and a set of pots and pans have been given to the family. They are living at a friend's home until their new home is finished.

Wier explained how the fire started. A damp couch cushion was drying near the fireplace and started smoldering after one of the two girls opened the damper on the fireplace to warm the house up in the morning.

When Evelyn noticed the smell of the overly warm cushion, she tossed it outside in the snow, not realizing it had landed against the home. The daughters left for school.

The cushion, still smouldering, melted a dog food box and then caught the skirting on fire. The skirting was made of carpet and covered the insulation.

"One hour later, the home was up in flames," said Wier, adding it took 12 rounds of water trucks to put out the fire.

The Big Lake Fire Department and the Willow Fire Department responded to the fire.

Anyone wishing to assist the home-raising projects with construction materials or monetary gifts may contact Wier at 775-1112 or 376-1112.

Contact Dawn DeBusk at 352-2252.