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Wednesday, February 7, 2007 · Page 2 Damage from fire estimated at $110K CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Roehler was so shaken by the sight, she just sat down at her neighbour's kitchen table, not wanting to move. Three days later, she was back at her job at Bear's Country Kitchen restaurant on Talbot Street, still reeling from the devastation she never imagined would happen to her. "I lost everything," she said. "You think that fires don't happen to you, they happen to everybody else, but you don't think these tragedies will happen to you." Since the fire, an emotional rollercoaster ride has taken her from complete shock and disbelief to anger at losing her home and possessions to eventual gratitude for being alive and still having her family intact. During the blaze, Roehler says her only thought was to get out of the house as quickly as possible. It is only days later that she can truly weigh how monumental the loss of her family's keepsakes would be. One of the only photographs she had taken with her mother, who died when Roehler was 12, is now gone. All the sentimental things that made the family's house a home were reduced to ash and black soot. The family was rentingto-own the five bedroom farmhouse, but didn't have renter's insurance. With assistance from the Essex Salvation Army, they are temporarily staying at a local motel. Roehler says the house is destroyed and cannot be rebuilt. To help them get back on their feet, the family is looking to the community for some helpful donations of funds and furniture. So far, some assistance has come from friends, family and regular customers of Bear's Country Kitchen. "It's a hard way to start over again but we get to make this a beginning not A fire devastated a home on County Road 34 just outside downtown Essex Saturday, causing an estimated $110,000 damage. The family, Darrell Teskey, his fiancé Kelly Roehler and her daughter Tasha, are looking to the community for donations to help them get back on their feet. Kelly Roehler has returned to work at Bear's Country Kitchen but is still reeling from the fire that destroyed her home outside Essex Saturday morning. an ending," Roehler said. To help, call Bear's Country Kitchen at 519776-4020. Two fundraising events are planned for the family. The first will be held Feb. 11 at The Medora Bar and Grill, 131 Talbot St. N. from 3-9 p.m. On Feb. 25, The Navy Club on Crawford Avenue in Windsor will host a second event. Marion Bruce, a long time family friend and organizer of the fundraisers, says the events will take on a "jamboree" feel and feature live music and a raffle to try and bring in a big, charitable crowd. "They lost everything and that's hard to replace," Bruce said. "We're just try- ing to help them out the best we can." The Lakeshore Fire Department is investigating the cause of the blaze and awaiting a report from the Electrical Safety Authority. Fire Chief Don Williamson said estimated damage on the home is in excess of $110,000. Wednesday, February 14th lentine's Va Day Special "Specializing in Chinese Cuisine" A-1 CHINESE FOODS Call For Reservations... Dinner $ Buffet 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM Open 11:00 am - 9 pm 60 Talbot St. N. Essex 519-776-5285 FREE CARNATION FOR THE LADIES 11 15