Olive Branch family loses home to fire

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- A family in rural Olive Branch has been left without a home after their trailer was rendered a total loss by a Monday afternoon fire.

"Everything's gone," said Christal Henderson, who lived in the trailer with her husband Clinton, their four children and her mother-in-law, Marie.

No family members were in the trailer at the time of the blaze, but virtually everything inside, including food, clothing and beds, was lost. Christmas presents that had been recently bought and wrapped also were destroyed in the fire.

"The kids are a little upset that their toys and everything are gone," Christal Henderson said.

The fire occurred about 1 p.m. after the family had left the trailer on Greg Hollow Road to drive local roads and check conditions caused by a winter storm that passed through the area Friday and Saturday. While they were out, Christal Henderson said the family received a phone call from a neighbor telling them the trailer was on fire.

A bedroom destroyed by fire at the home of Clinton and Christal Henderson is seen Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013 near Olive Branch, Ill. (Fred Lynch)

"We got back to the house as soon as we could," she said. "The fire department showed up within minutes, but the damage was already being done."

A crew from the Horseshoe Lake Fire Department battled the fire. Ironically, Christal Henderson serves as a volunteer firefighter with the department, and Clinton Henderson is the assistant fire chief.

"Clinton is also my uncle," said Josh McKee, fire chief of the Horseshoe Lake Fire Department. "We're not just a team here; we're also kind of a family. In a small community like this, we have lots of people who are related serving in the fire department."

McKee said the trailer was a total loss, but the cause hasn't been determined.

"It certainly doesn't look suspicious," he said. "Other fire chiefs will be coming in to examine the fire scene, and the investigation could take two or three more days."

The Hendersons are staying at the home of a relative, but McKee said the people of Olive Branch and the surrounding area are lending a hand in their time of need.

"I've been on the phone all day with people who want to help," he said. "We're accepting clothes, food and money donations, and we're also looking for Christmas presents for the kids to replace the ones that were lost."

Christal Henderson said while she is grateful no family members were hurt, anything donated will be appreciated.

"A lot of prayers are needed, too," she said.

For clothing donations, Christal Henderson said adult-size clothing would be welcome for her, her husband and mother-in-law. Shirts and pants in sizes 4 to 5 are requested for a 4-year-old daughter; shirts and pants in sizes 6 to 7 are requested for a 6-year-old daughter; shirts and slim pants in size 8 are requested for an 8-year-old son; and size 9 junior pants and large junior shirts are requested for a 10-year-old daughter.

Donations to the Hendersons may be delivered to the Horseshoe Lake Fire Department at 27045 Highway 3 in Olive Branch. For more information, call McKee at 618-776-5175.

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address: Greg Hollow Road, Olive Branch, Ill.