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Pocono News Section
Two families displaced after fire, one man hospitalized
Two families displaced after fire, one man hospitalized - Friday, November 23, 2007 at 9:06PM EST
Reported by: Jill Konopka
Friday, Nov 23, 2007 @09:06pm EST
((WILKES-BARRE, Luzerne County) One day after a near fatal fire, some families survey the damage, while others are just trying to enjoy the holiday they missed.
This is the first time Eleanor Glover got a glimpse of her home inside 35 north Welles street in Wilkes-Barre. Eleanor Glover spoke with WBRE News, "It's a mess, it's a nightmare." There's plenty of water damage inside; after a Thanksgiving day fire in another apartment upstairs. "This is where it got most of the water." Firefighters pulled Glover's unconscious neighbor, Paul Wokavonis to safety. Crews say the fire started at his place. Firefighters are still searching for a cause.
Glover added, "I’m just thankful they weren't here when it happened." Glover, her 2 grandkids and daughter were already out for Thanksgiving, now they're staying at a local hotel along with another family from the third floor.
Amy Gabriel works with the American Red Cross of the Wyoming Valley, "Our teams are always on call, on holidays. Disasters don't take a break for the holidays. We've seen them in the past and I’m sure we'll see them in the future."
Glover said, "They put us up there this morning and they gave us something to eat." The power is already back on in six other attached apartments.
"All you could see is black smoke covering windows and doors and everything." Sharon Bentler stayed here last night, but sent her six kids to the neighbors.
Sharon Bentler added, "This is the worst thanksgiving I ever had and it was unreal. Reporter Jill Konopka asked, Had you just finished eating your meal?" Sharon Bentler responded, "We didn't even get a chance. I was just about to make the plate for the kids."
For now, these families are just trying to get back part of their long holiday weekend.
Reporter Jill Konopka responded, "I guess the obvious question is are you just going to have your thanksgiving meal today? Sharon Bentler said, "Yeah."
Fire investigators have already ruled out arson. They say there is moderate damage to the apartment where the fire started and smoke damage on the third floor of 35 north Welles street. | | |
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