Year Old Baby, Family, Homeless After Fire

Alabama Mobile Fire destroys everything owned by a Theodore family of four.

by Steve Alexander

Published: Tue, December 23, 2008 - 9:30 pm CST Last Updated: Tue, December 23, 2008 - 9:50 pm CST

A one year old Theodore boy, his five year old brother, and their parents have lost everything they owned after fire gutted their home Tuesday morning.
The fire broke out at 5351 Deakle Road.
Dennis Smith said his five year old son, James, was the first to wake up.
And then he and his wife, Evelyn, had to rescue their one year old son, Devin.
Smith said, "The fire was right there where that space heater is. My five year old was right here, my baby was here, me and her were sleeping right there. And I had to grab the baby and throw him under my coat."
Smith's wife, Evelyn, said, "I was sleeping. I heard him (James) screaming and I saw the fire. I freaked out."
Dennis Smith said he burned his hand and leg rescuing Devin.
Smith said, "The curtain caught on fire and I had to grab it and snatch it down to get to the baby, and I picked the baby up and stuck him under my jacket."
When asked what was going through his mind at the time, Smith said, "Get everybody out alive, that's it: just get my babies out."
Dennis Smith said he and his family lost everything they owned.
Smith said, "My kids shoes, they were melted."
The Smiths will stay with a family friend Tuesday evening, but Dennis Smith said he doesn't know where the family will go after that.
But Smith did say, "Thank Jesus I got the babies out. That's all. I'm happy with that."
To help the Smith family, you can call 518-8191.

WKRG.com » News Stream » Alabama