Fiery blaze consuming the Welch Road home in the Town of Gouverneur. The Gouverneur Fire Department determined it a total loss. (photo provided)
By Rachel Hunter
A family of seven in Gouverneur lost their home and everything they own when a fiery blaze ripped through their Welch Road home on Thursday, March 7, leaving nothing more than an empty charred shell of a house.
The Gouverneur Fire Department was dispatched to a reported house fire at Roberts’ Welch Road Farm, 88 Welch Road in the Town of Gouverneur. The property is owned by Jeremy Roberts and Kimberly Worden who made their home there with their five young children.
GFD’s 11-1 reported on scene with a heavy fire showing on sides B and C of the structure. The Gouverneur firefighters worked for hours to suppress the fire as the wind played a major factor in the spread of the fire throughout the structure. Unfortunately, even with all the efforts of the firefighters, the dwelling is a total loss and the homeowners lost three dogs. There were no injuries reported, as the family was not home at the time of the fire.
The Gouverneur Fire Department responded with 11-1, 11-2, Engine 17, ETA-101, Truck 2, Rescue 4, TA-6, R-7, R-75 and 20 members. Gouverneur Rescue brought one ambulance. Assisting with mutual aid for water supply were the following: Richville Fire (draft and tanker to the scene), Oxbow Fire (two tankers to the scene), and Heuvelton (super tanker to the scene).
Insurance on the house is very limited and will not be enough to allow the family to rebuild their home.
A GoFundMe page “Roberts Family House Fire” has been established to help them family at their time of need.
“Our team is trying to raise money to help this beloved family regain a sense of hope and pride and help them rebuild their farmhouse,” the GoFundMe page says. “They need the resources to acquire the necessities of food and clothing as well as the personal strength and perseverance to face the daunting journey ahead of rebuilding not only their home but their sense of family security as well. There is a long journey ahead for the Roberts family. With your and our entire community's help we can begin working on supplying this family the financial ability to rebuild their farmhouse and help with necessary items to help get them on their feet again. We all hope the Roberts' Welch Road Farm can rebuild their country farmhouse filled with love, laughter and memories.”
As of press time on Tuesday, a little over $3,000 of the $30,000 goal had been raised. For more information on how to donate, visit the following website: gofundme.com/xh8an-roberts-family-house-fire.