Family loses home in blaze

Red Cross offers assistance but is in need of help itself

Photo provided A Friday morning fire at 9765 Lynches River Road in Sumter County destroyed the home of Winfred and Celestine Fleming. Officials say the cause of the blaze is unknown.

By RANDY BURNS
Item Staff Writer
rburns@theitem.com

A fire that started in a bedroom burned the home of Winfred and Celestine Fleming to the ground.

The cause of the fire is unknown to investigators, officials said.

It is known, however, that the Flemings lost everything they had.

Winfred Fleming, who has worked at Sonoco in Hartsville for 22 years, is looking at the positive.

“It’s hard to describe how I felt,” he said. “I felt like I lost everything I had worked for all my life, but then I felt better when I realized that no one in our family was hurt.”

Nine people were living in Fleming’s home on 9765 Lynches River Road in Sumter County. Three people – their son Trapper, 25, and two grandchildren – were at home when the fire started about 9 a.m. Friday, said Celestine Fleming.

“My son was halfway asleep when the fire broke out,” she said. “The kids woke up screaming. When he realized what was happening, he got the kids and ran out of the house. But when he was outside, he thought his father was still in there. So he went inside to look for him.”

The devastation of losing their home – a single wide mobile home and a second floor wood siding structure addition with an estimated value of about $100,000 – was soon tempered by the realization that all family members were accounted for and safe.

“The Lord has been good to us,” said Celestine, “even though we lost a home. We are blessed. No one was hurt, but my (3-year-old) grandson is still talking about the fire coming to get him.”

The Flemings said the support of Red Cross and volunteer Larry Nettles provided “great comfort.”

“This gentleman (Nettles) came to us in our distress,” she said. “Red Cross does a wonderful job. I’ll tell you this: They made me feel better.”

“Red Cross has been a blessing,” Winfred said. “They got to the house before the fire was put out. I was surprised how much Red Cross does. I had given to Red Cross over the years, and I had no idea that some day I would need them.”

Lodging and money for food and household items were immediately provided the family, Winfred said.

Referrals were made to Salvation Army, United Ministries, Clothing Closet, Christian Charities, Berea Community Center and New Bethel Baptist Church.

“They are all going to do something,” Nettles said. “I’ll tell you, Sumter has the best organizations in the state ready to help people when there’s a disaster like this.”

Nancy Cataldo, service center operations director for the Central South Carolina Red Cross, said her organization is not a federal agency and is dependent upon community donations.

United Way funds, an important source of revenue, have been depleted for the fiscal year ending June 30, Cataldo said.

“We need to raise $55,000 just to keep disaster relief services continuing,” she said.

Donations can be sent directly to Red Cross, Cataldo said. Residents are also invited to join the Red Cross Heroes program. Anyone donating $100 a month for 12 months to Red Cross is identified as a hero. The campaign recognizes those volunteers who come forward and agree to donate or raise $1,000, Cataldo said.

A golf tournament with proceeds going toward Red Cross is scheduled for April 24 at Beech Creek Golf Club. For more information, contact Mack Kolb at (803) 773-1477 or Cataldo at (803) 775-2363.

Donations can be provided to Red Cross online at www.centralscredcross.org, by check to the Sumter Red Cross office at 1155-2 N. Guignard Dr. Sumter, SC 29150, or by calling at (803) 775-2363. Donations can also be mailed to P.O. Box 91, Columbia, SC 29202.



Contact Staff Writer Randy Burns at rburns@theitem.com or (803) 491-4533.





American Red Cross of Central South Carolina

1155-2 N. Guignard Dr.

Suite 2

Sumter, S.C. 29150

Phone: (803) 775-2363