Many Give Aid After Fire Hits Upper Family

PETERSBURG — Thomas Fielder is thankful that his children — for once — disobeyed him, and that act saved their lives.
On Tue. Oct. 5, shortly before 9 p.m., the Fielder family of five, Thomas, wife, Jennifer (“Bama” to Rio Grande Wal-Mart co-workers) and their children, Mikayla, 8, Jonathan, 5, and Adrianna, 10 months, lost most of their possessions in a fire that gutted their home of two years on Meadow Ridge Lane, off Killdeer Hill Road near Dennisville-Petersburg Road.
Fielder is a 1999 Ocean City High School graduate who moved south in 2003 for a construction job, and met his wife in Alabama. Both are employed at Wal-Mart in Rio Grande, he as automotive supervisor, she as a zone supervisor.
The family did not have renter’s insurance to cover their loss.
A firewall prevented loss of the other half of the duplex occupied by another family.
Ironically, that blaze occurred during national Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 3-9.
Jennifer, who was at work at the time, had planned to make the final payment on their television the next day.
Thomas said he smelled something odd, and told the youngsters he was going outside to check.
“I told them ‘Stay in the house’ got my shoes on and went out the front door,” said Fielder.
They did not obey, and instead tagged along behind their dad as he went to investigate.
After chatting very briefly with his neighbor about the odd smell, he saw the children running behind him, and he looked up to his horror and saw smoke rolling out the second-story window of Jonathan’s room.
At that point, Mikayla, clutching her sister in her arms, went to look into the living room window.
“She screamed, and said the lamp was on fire,” said Fielder. “I ran over to see, and the fire went to the couch and a comforter we had just washed. I couldn’t believe how fast the fire went up the walls,” he added.
“I told the kids to get across the street. I wanted to run back into the house to get my truck keys,” he said.
He got as far as the front door. At that point, he heard the glass from the television shatter, and scrapped the notion of keys.
He dialed 9-1-1 and screamed, “My house is on fire!”
Windows blew out and flames burst through, all in a matter of minutes, Fielder said.
Firefighters from Tuckahoe, the first to respond, helped move the truck a safe distance, but not before the intense heat melted part of its headlights.
According to Tuckahoe Fire Chief Bill Chattin, the blaze was under control in about 20 minutes. The county’s Northern Tanker Task Force was pressed into service to relay water to the remote, rural location. He estimated a total of 60-65 firefighters were involved.
Tuckahoe volunteers were assisted by Marmora, Seaville, Dennisville, Belleplain and Ocean View companies. The rural location had no fire hydrants. The closest water was several miles away. Regardless, there was never a want for water to battle the blaze, Chattin said.
Firefighters battled to control the blaze that was fanned by a breeze and fed by the home’s open windows. Neighbors rushed to the aid of the stricken family. Some brought diapers and formula for Adrianna, others offered to shelter the children.
“Everybody was just great,” said Fielder. On behalf of the family, he extended appreciation for the work done by the firefighters, State Police, rescue squad and neighbors.
The local chapter of the American Red Cross was on scene with immediate aid, and a credit card that allowed the family to purchase food and clothing. They used it the next day, he said.
Fielder praised the efforts of all firefighters and others who came to the family’s immediate aid.
Lucia Ramirez, Fielder’s mother, told the Herald that Mikayla told her, “Nana, I don’t have my Twinkle Toes.” Those are sneakers that sparkle. It’s one of the many things that she wants to get for her granddaughter.
As the final investigation report into the cause of the blaze is compiled, hopefully this week, the Fielders are doing their best to get their lives back to normal.
It was initially believed the blaze may have originated in the heating unit, since a repairman was there recently working on the unit.
The Fielder children attend Upper Township School, and the family is working to maintain as normal a schedule as possible for the children, Fielder said.
“My daughter has been like a rock,” said Fielder. “She has been brave and strong through all this. We are so proud of her. She was holding onto her sister throughout the fire.”
Initially, Jennifer called the Upper Township Branch of the Cape May County Library to report the loss of books, and was told she would have to pay $127 for those lost in the fire. The Herald contacted Library Director Deborah Poillon who immediately allayed that concern, “We will waive the cost of those books.” Fielder was elated when the news was relayed.
He said Wal-Mart has a program for its employees called, Associates in Critical Need Trust Fund, which will assist the family.
He also said that Wal-Mart was “like a big family, everybody was ready to help us.”
While the family stays with relatives in Steelmantown until it locates either another rental or a home to buy, it has sufficient clothing, but what are needed, said Fielder, are furniture, bedding, pots, pans and dishes.
Those who may wish to assist the family can call Fielder’s cell phone: (256) 738-8022.
Contact Campbell at (609) 886-8600 Ext 28 or at: al.c@cmcherald.com