Many of you do not know me as I do not actually "fly" AH, but became interested or involved in the game via WMLute. To his WM squaddies, I am affectionately known as "Red". More of you may know me as "LadyLindy" on HoboWars. I am posting today to ask that you keep Lute in your thoughts and prayers as he struggles to get back on his feet after his home burned down early yesterday morning.
He was renting a first floor apartment in a large Victorian that was renovated into several apartments. From what he told me and what he knows right now, it started in one of the upper levels. The cops and firemen knocked on his door alerting him of the fire. He was able to get his pc (which took on a bit of overspray from the firehoses), guitar, tv, and most of his clothes out, but lost everything else. He said that if there was anything left to salvage, it would still be trash due to the smoke and water damage.
The American Red Cross is providing hotel accommodations for Lute (and the others that lived in the house) through the weekend. One of the ladies that lived there worked at a local restaurant and her boss offered them meals for today or through the weekend.
Here's what they have said on the news:
The fire started just before 7 a.m.
Neighbors said they could see the flames shooting through the roof.
"Oh yeah it was shooting out of that loft, it was as high as my roof, that's how bad it was,"said one neighbor.
Another neighbor stated, "From what I understand the floor was already gone by the time the firemen got here. It had already fallen through to the second floor."
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The Red Cross is helping five adults with food and shelter.
He suffered a great deal of smoke inhalation and collapsed a couple of times trying to save his belongings. He said that just mintes after he made his last trip out, the second story floor collapsed into his living space. I can tell by talking to him that he is still in a state of traumatic shock and reality has not quite settled in as of yet.
At the suggestion of members of the HW -Aces High- gang, I have set up an account via PayPal to accept donations. Anyone wishing to make donations to WMLute (aka FlockEwe on HoboWars) may do so at the link below. Please trust that all proceeds will be made available to him, and all transactions will be kept anonymous/confidential.
I will keep all of you in the AH Community updated as Lute recovers from this tragic ordeal. Hopefully he can salvage his pc (once he finds a new home) so he can get back online and in the air.
WMLute/FlockEwe Fire Fund
