July 25, 2010

The smell of charred wood filled the air at 183 Little Mountain Road in Fluvanna County Sunday morning. Angel Bowles rents the property with her four children, who are all under the age of seven. The American Red Cross disaster services volunteers were called out to help the now homeless family.

"We come out and provide emergency services, immediate services," said Shelley Murphy, a Red Cross disaster services volunteer.

Bowles and her kids will stay in a hotel the next nights.

The Fluvanna County Fire Chief, Mike Brent, said the Bowles' rental home is a total loss and no one was home at the time of the fire.

"We know the fire started in the back corner of the residence," said Chief Brent. "But, we don't have an exact location yet or an exact origin."

Brent said the home, built in the 1940s or 1950s, did not have air conditioning, smoke detectors or fire sprinklers. He also said the fire most likely started from a faulty electrical appliance.

The crews had to be careful in the extreme temperatures, taking 15 to 20 minutes shifts at the scene.

"This is our third major fire this week," Brent explained. "It's been extremely challenging keeping our people hydrated and cooled off to be able to function in weather like this."

Red Cross volunteers say Bowles is shocked and trying to figure out what to do.

"She's very upset right now and the kids kind of really don't understand what's going on," said Murphy.

Chief Brent said Bowles' home was old enough that fire sprinklers would not be installed. On Monday, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development will vote on whether to make sprinklers mandatory in all new homes.

If you know of a way you can help Angel Bowles and her children, the Central Virginia Red Cross is asking you to call them at (434) 979 - 7143.