ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Rock Island, Ill. - Tamara and Robert Newcomb of Durant, Iowa, found out Sunday, June 20, the effects of lightning when it caused a fire in their home.
The Durant Fire Department arrived and put out the fire, but advised the family to stay somewhere else, because even though the fire was contained there was a possibility of a further outbreak. According to the Durant Fire Department it was an electrical fire that originated in the attic it would be safer for their family to find other living arrangements.
The Newcomb family was awakened around 6 a.m. the next day by the Durant Fire Department and told that their house had started on fire again. The whole top floor of their house was lost to the fire.
Tamara, who has worked at the Rock Island Arsenal for a year in August, is also nine months pregnant and ready to give birth to her first child. Robert is a Navy veteran who served four years and has a service connected disability.
Debbie Batchelor, who has been at the Arsenal for more than 32 years, opened her home to help the Newcomb family out when the crisis happened.
"Debbie was there to help me and my husband when we really needed a place to stay," said Tamara.
Batchelor said she has contacted several organizations to see if they could help in the relief of items that were lost in the fire for the Newcomb family.
"This included setting up donation points for house-hold supplies like bedding and furniture," said Batchelor.
Debbie is a member of the Rock Island Arsenal Women's Club. The Arsenal Women's club has contributed to a furniture account, which has been set up at Bruce's furniture.
If you would like to help, please contact Debbie Batchelor at: <a href="mailto:debra.j.batchelor@conus.army.mil" target="_blank">debra.j.batchelor@conus.army.mil</a>
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