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Fire ravaged the home of Patrick and Amanda Straw Saturday afternoon.
Amanda Straw had taken her two children, ages two and four, to McDonald's for breakfast and was heading to the Family Dollar store when she received a phone call that the house was on fire.
Police officers and firefighters arriving first saw flames climbing the wall near the front door entrance.
The Nebraska City pumper connected with 200 feet of hose and charged three lines to the house. Firefighters were able to concentrate on the fire after quickly learning that all of the house's occupants were accounted for except the family dog.
Straw said the dog ran from the house when she was getting the kids to go out, so she had to stop what she was doing. She said she chased down the dog and put him back inside before leaving.
Straw was left to watch around 1 p.m. Saturday as firefighters cut ventilation holes in the roof and pounded the walls with axes. Smoke that had filled the home for the first 20 minutes had subsided, but pockets of burning material were found between walls and in the attic.
"What will we do now?" Straw asked as friends and rescue personnel joined her on the street curb.
GateHouse Media Nebraska, publishers of the News-Press and the Penny Press, is sponsoring a benefit fund for the Patrick Straw family who lost their home and belongings to a house fire this weekend. Patrick is a Penny Press carrier. Contributions may be made at Commercial State Bank, 617 Central Ave., Nebraska City, NE 68410.
Fire ravaged the home of Patrick and Amanda Straw Saturday afternoon.
Amanda Straw had taken her two children, ages two and four, to McDonald's for breakfast and was heading to the Family Dollar store when she received a phone call that the house was on fire.
Police officers and firefighters arriving first saw flames climbing the wall near the front door entrance.
The Nebraska City pumper connected with 200 feet of hose and charged three lines to the house. Firefighters were able to concentrate on the fire after quickly learning that all of the house's occupants were accounted for except the family dog.
Straw said the dog ran from the house when she was getting the kids to go out, so she had to stop what she was doing. She said she chased down the dog and put him back inside before leaving.
Straw was left to watch around 1 p.m. Saturday as firefighters cut ventilation holes in the roof and pounded the walls with axes. Smoke that had filled the home for the first 20 minutes had subsided, but pockets of burning material were found between walls and in the attic.
"What will we do now?" Straw asked as friends and rescue personnel joined her on the street curb.
GateHouse Media Nebraska, publishers of the News-Press and the Penny Press, is sponsoring a benefit fund for the Patrick Straw family who lost their home and belongings to a house fire this weekend. Patrick is a Penny Press carrier. Contributions may be made at Commercial State Bank, 617 Central Ave., Nebraska City, NE 68410.
