Family’s house destroyed in Beaver County fire
Neighbors of a single mother of three who lost her Beaver County home to a blaze that erupted Thursday night described the woman’s strength and character Friday, as they gathered clothing, bedding and other items to help support the displaced family.
“I love that lady, I love her,” said neighbor and longtime friend
Michele Mellor on Friday with a teary-eyed smile. “She’s the nicest lady in the whole world.”
Mrs. Mellor, 51, and her husband, Jeffrey, live with their children a few blocks away from 52year-old Kristin Scott’s home, which is in the 300 block of Celestial Drive in Economy. Mrs. Mellor said they have known the Scotts for about 13 years and
described the widow as a “Godly, Christian” woman.
One of Mrs. Mellor’s sons on Thursday night first alerted her that a fire had erupted in the neighborhood, she said.
“I hurried up and got my keys and went over and I ran, and it was her house,” Mrs. Mellor said. “I was devastated. She’s been a single mom for years, and what she’s done to keep the house and the kids — she’s working two jobs now. She’s a very hard worker. She’s actually my son’s [Catholic] sponsor for confirmation.”
Authorities said they responded to reports of a fire at the beige-colored, two-story home around 7 p.m. Thursday — the family was away at the time. Two dogs were inside the home, but authorities have found only one.
Ms. Scott’s two daughters, who arrived at the burning home after 7 p.m. and before their mother, were “stunned and devastated,” according to nextdoor neighbor Jessica Headrick, 38.
“They couldn’t even talk,” Ms. Headrick said. “But fortunately, a lady across the street opened up her house and let the family and friends in there, so the daughters were in there until the mom got here.
“Thankfully, by the end of the night, there was a little bit more happiness going on,” she said.
Friends and neighbors said Ms. Scott’s husband had died of unknown causes about 12 years ago. She has since done her best to keep the home they live in and recently acquired a second job. Two of her three children are of college age, and the other is a senior in high school, neighbors said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the state fire marshal, according to the Economy Borough police department. But homes in the neighborhood use electric stoves and utilities instead of gas, neighbors said.
Neighbors suspect the fire sizzled undetected for a while inside the unoccupied home before burning through the roof of the residence. Fire officials filled the street as they worked to alleviate the blaze using hoses connected to a fire hydrant at the top of the street.
Partially charred panels and hanging pieces of the now-exposed roof remain, as some windows are also now boarded up.
Mrs. Mellor said the Scott family is “holding up pretty well,” although Ms. Scott is overwhelmed by all of the donations.
“Fortunately, nobody was home,” Ms. Headrick said. “They are staying with family right now. It’s a wonderful neighborhood; people are already giving donations. I [just] stopped to pick one up from another family. I have people offering to drop off supplies here. The lady across the street, she is also helping do collections. Tons of support is coming in from everywhere, even different neighborhoods. People [were] offering clothes, even furniture, all that kind of stuff.”
A GoFundMe page created Thursday night has already raised thousands.
Ms. Headrick said she and her family moved to the neighborhood about 12 years ago. She watched the Scott children grow up, she said.
“They’re just a wonderful family,” Ms. Headrick said. “Every Halloween the daughters always bring over a present for my son . ... So they’re a very, very, very nice family.”