By Staff
Four people who were sleeping in their beds at 2:30 a.m. on Monday, April 26, lost their home and all of its contents, but came away with their lives.
According to neighbors, Ricky and Vickie Sims, along with her daughter, Ashley, and Ashley's daughter, were asleep when they were awakened with the sound of popping noises. Vickie Sims got up and went toward the kitchen to see what was causing the noise, and discovered the kitchen area was in flames. She quickly began to wake the others so they could escape from the burning home.
At one point Ricky Sims re-entered the house thinking that someone was still inside.
According to Cooley, her stepfather is in a burn unit in Mobile and will probably be there for six to eight weeks.
The fire is under investigation by the state fire marshal's office. Deputy State Fire Marshal Ken Smith was on the scene Monday afternoon and said he didn't know just how long it will take to sift through the ashes to find their answers.