By Pat Maurer
Correspondent
Heavy heat and fire damage totally destroyed a trailer that was the mobile home of James and Ciera Dulong and their two daughters, ages 15 (nearly 16) and 11.
The mobile, a rental owned by Terry and Lisa Thayer of Clare, was an older model located next to the Rail-Trail on East Washington Road (just off Ludington between Clare and Farwell)
Clare Fire Chief Sam Eberhart said the fire department arrived on the scene at 12:40 pm. “There was heavy smoke coming out of the roof,” he said. He said it was the department’s first structure fire this year and actually in several months.
Eberhart said the cause was “undetermined,” but Ciera said she believed it was electrical. “Smoke was coming from inside the wall,” she said.
About 20 firefighters from Clare and Surrey Fire Department fought the blaze for about two hours, Chief Eberhart said. “We were also assisted at the scene by Mobile Medical Response Ambulance Service and the Clare Police Department.”
Eberhart said the home was a total loss. “About half of the trailer had heavy fire damage and the other half had heavy heat damage.” He said the trailer was insured, but Ciera said the contents – the family belongings, were not insured.
Ciera said she was about to get ready for work when she smelled smoke Monday. She went to the back bedroom and opened the door. “I saw smoke coming out of the wall,” she said. “I grabbed our puppy and got out. Then I called 9-1-1.”
A Farwell graduate, Ciera said they had recently moved back to the area to be closer to family and had rented the trailer while looking for a home in the area. James is from the Perry area. They had been renting the mobile for about four months, she said.
She works at Huhtamaki in Coleman and her husband James works at R & R Drywall & Insulation in Clare. Their two daughters attend Farwell Schools.
“Everything we owned, It’s all gone,” Ciera said. “Except for two guitars that could be salvageable,” she added. “I might be able to clean them up. She said the daughters lost all their electronics (laptops for school, iPads) and everything else as well.
For now, the Dulongs are staying at the Quality Inn in Clare. They are looking for help, especially clothing and household items, which may be dropped off at the Quality Inn (check at the desk).
In clothes, Ciera wears a Small shirt, 34 pants S/M underwear and ankle and long socks. Her shoe size is 7.5.
James wears an XL shirt, 36/32 pants, size 6 underwear, long socks and 12 shoes.
Oldest daughter’s sizes are S/XS shirts, 0 pants, S underwear, ankle socks and size 5 shoes. The youngest wears a M shirt, 4/5 pants, M underwear, long socks and 8 in ladies shoes.
Bras sizes are 34C, 36B and M-sports. Hoodies are M, L, XL.
A Go Fund Me Page: Support a family’s fresh start after fire with a goal of $5,000 to help them fund a new home, has been set up by friend Beckie Goble on her Facebook Page, on Ciera Dulong’s Facebook Page, and on both the Huhtamaki website and Facebook Page.
