GoFundMe started for fire victims

OLDTOWN – A GoFundMe page has been started for Lisa and Dave Lamberson, whose house burned Tuesday, July 9 on Solar Lane off Highway 41.

Lisa Lamberson said the fire started from a cigarette ember.

She said she and her husband woke to the sound of a big bang about 11:45 p.m.

“We opened the door and flames shot in,” she said. “The fire was already in the rafters.”

The smoke alarms went off after the door was opened, she said. There were five people home at the time, Dave and Lisa, their son Zach and two family members who were staying with them until they can get a place. Everyone got safely outside, with minor burns and scrapes.

“About 12:45 the roof fell in, just as the firefighters showed up,” Lamberson said.

The Lambersons escaped with the clothes on their backs. They were able to get their dogs but were afraid the family cat, Ozzie, was lost. The cat showed up five days later.

Firefighters contained the fire, but Lamberson said that she was reluctant to start the Go Fund Me page, but agreed to it. A goal of $20,000 was set, with $1,200 raised as of Monday. The Lambersons’ home was a total loss. It was insured but they lost just about everything. Family friends found them a rental home.

“All 5 family members made it out,” she wrote for the Go Fund Me page. “With minor burns, scrapes and bruises. We had 2 family members staying with us until they could find their own place. Everyone made it out with only the clothes we had on. Zach and I didn’t even have time to get shoes, glasses or wallets.”

Lisa said she was grateful it wasn’t worse. “We are all blessed to still be alive,” she wrote. “We are thankful for our local Volunteer Fire dept. They did what they could. After inspection our home is a Total Loss and cannot go in to look for any items.”

People can find the Lambersons on the Go Fund Me page by searching for their name.