James' Home Lost to Neighboring Blaze

This is James Pratt's sister, Kate Woods. My amazing, always prepared, hard-working, and humble brother has experienced extreme loss of property and housing displacement due to a neighboring fire.

The fire began in the fireplace of the adjoining townhouse and then spread next door. Quick-thinking and cool-headed Bella quickly called 9-1-1, got the pets, and exited the building. Firefighters were able to find and retrieve the last cat, a few articles of clothing, and Bella's backpack - because, as she specifically told the firefighter, she needed to be ready for school on Monday.

It is natural to want to help and to tell the person, "Let me know if you need anything!" and we all sincerely mean it. Our hearts hurt and we are ready to give, but simply do not know what to give or how to give. While it feels great to the giver to give things (food, clothing, furniture, household goods), the best use of resources would be in monetary form. Things we give are real things, we see in our hands and we see being given to the receiver. However, with monetary donations, he can replace priority items first, items better suited to his needs, and he will have the funds to establish a new residence (think of all the general moving-in expenses of signing a new rental agreement). I believe he will need $6,000-$8,000 for moving (paying deposits, set-up fees, etc.) and then use the remaining funds for personals - again in priority to what he determines he needs.

This selfless man, always first in line to help others, stays up late and gets up early to keep his household running like a smooth sailing ship. He is a dedicated Boy Scout member, a hardworking employee, a generous son and grandson, a reliable brother, and loving father. He is one-of-a-kind. Let's lift him up and show appreciation for everything he's done for others and his community. No amount too small; every amount appreciated.

Peace and light,

Kate Woods

Here are his words describing the events of Saturday, January 25, 2025:

The fire was in the unit next door to ours. That place, an Air B&B rental, is completely destroyed. Ours is HEAVILY damaged from smoke and indirect heat. I literally watched the mini blinds melt in my window from the smoke heat, as I was standing in the street, while firemen were clearing that room.

We are not supposed to enter our home until it is inspected by the local building inspector and determined by that person to be safe. The firefighters were able to grab a few things for us. We have what we need for the week and will be at work/school on Monday, but eventually everything will have to be replaced and we will probably have to find a different place to live.

Most importantly, Bella & I are okay as well as our 3 pets. We are all staying at my sister's house nearby.

Speaking of Bella, she is the real hero of the day. The 911 dispatcher called me back after the initial call was rolling and in play to comment on her calmness, her ability to relay correct, accurate, important information over the phone, while getting the animals together as she evacuated the residence. Once outside, she continued to communicate to neighbors and the first responders. Even the first responders were making comments to Bella about how well she acted. To which she replied, "I am a Scout, we are always prepared and learn about this stuff."

Read that again and imagine how much information was processed in just that short amount of time it took you to read this post as she ran from the kitchen to the predetermined safe spot outside. Please have a plan, have a spot, and practice it. We were prepared; we have working smoke alarms, all the safety and fire prevention lessons, examples, and demonstrations in place with evacuation routes from each room to safety spots A and B in case spot A is compromised. ALL of that can't prevent your neighbor's accidents.

As we start this week off with today, this Monday, our spirits are high. Thankfully, we were able to land at my sister's house. She has us all set up and in place and assisting with keeping Bella's schedule as normal as possible. She's not helping with the laundry though it took several attempts to get the smoke smell out of some things. Others, well... I am just going to pretend it's from a campfire.

Bella was forward-thinking enough to ask a fireman in the middle of the chaos if he could grab her school bag and school computer. Jokingly I said, "To add it to the fire?" And Bella interrupted with, "NO Dad! I have school on Monday and if it's a virtual day I'll need my laptop!" Several minutes later, a soot-covered fireman exited our residence with her bag... he said he has received many requests for things to be saved, but this was the first time it was for a school bag.

To answer the most common questions I have received:

Thanks again for your support.