A local woman almost lost everything Sunday when a fire erupted in her home. The blaze originated in the bedroom and smoke quickly filled the house.
Eddie Jo Nunley was preparing to take a nap at around 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon when she entered her bedroom and found the blaze.
“She went into the bedroom and flames were in the corner of the room,” said Cindy Phifer, Nunley’s daughter-in-law. “She tried to put the fire out by pouring buckets of water on it from the sink. It just kept spreading.”
When contacted by the Southern Standard at Phifer’s house, Nunley was too emotional to discuss the ordeal. She allowed Phifer to speak on her behalf.
Phifer says after Nunley’s attempt to put out the fire on her own failed, she went outside and yelled for help. A neighbor responded, but thick smoke prevented him from going into the home. He stopped Nunley from re-entering and called 911. Collins River Fire Department responded. The house and most contents were damaged.
“We went out there today and found some pictures of her children,” said Phifer. “The fire department brought us about three drawers of clothes. I’m going to try and wash them to get the smell of smoke out.”
Finding the pictures was a bittersweet moment.
“She lost her daughter, Brenda Jo Nunley, two weeks ago to cancer and now this,” said Phifer. “She had three children and they are all gone now. Her husband is gone too. Those pictures are all she has left of them.”
Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 53, Smartt Station, Tenn., 37378. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.