Two sisters-in-law slipped into ponchos on Wednesday morning and waded through the ashes of a small frame home in Kilgore.
As they worked toward the back bedroom, Sherry Ritchie and Joanie Cummings filled trash bags with smoke-stained clothes they believed could be salvaged. But mostly they filled bags with debris that was burnt, or melted, and ruined.
“A lot of stuff is gone,” said Ritchie. “It’s just a pile of ashes.”
Ritchie and Cummings took frequent breaks, because the smoke that hung in the air made it difficult to breathe. Ritchie tied grocery bags over her shoes and wore a shower cap to protect her hair.
By midafternoon, the sisters-in-law had finished their task, and they rested on the front porch of the home on Williams Street. Surrounded by more than a dozen overstuffed trash bags, they talked about the fire that had taken the lives of their great-nephew and great-niece the previous morning.
On Tuesday, their niece Shannon Jenkins, 23, had been watching TV in the living room when her children asked if they could play in the backyard. Micheal Robinson was 3 years old and had big blue eyes. His little sister, Elizabeth Jenkins, was always at his side. She had celebrated her first birthday earlier in the month.
The two of them headed toward their bedroom, where a back door opened to the yard.
Jenkins’ sister, Tanya, was asleep with her own baby in another room. She was the first to smell the smoke. She fled with her daughter through the front door, and Shannon Jenkins followed. She ran around the house to the backyard, but her children weren’t there. She heard them cry out. They were still inside.
She ran back into the house through the living room, then through the kitchen into a hallway that led to the back bedroom. Smoke was billowing out of it. She looked through a glass window in the door, and Micheal and Elizabeth were there.
“She could see them on fire. She could see them screaming,” Cummings said. “The bed just burst into flames, like it was gasoline.”
Outside, Tanya Jenkins tried to break through the back door. Inside, smoke was filling the hallway, and Shannon Jenkins was unable to get into the room.
“Your instincts kick in and you try to do whatever you can to get those children out,” Cummings said, “but the smoke was so thick she couldn’t breathe. Your body gets into survival mode, and you save yourself.
“She was gone. She shut down. That’s why she ran out of the house, screaming for help, because she was helpless.”
Ritchie shook her head.
“If they were my kids, I don’t know,” Ritchie said. “I don’t even want to think about it.”
“I probably would have died with them,” replied Cummings. “But I don’t know that. Because your body wants to breathe. It has to.
“It’s just a horrible, horrible, horrible thing.”
The fire department received the emergency call at 10:46 a.m. and was at the house four minutes later. Micheal and Elizabeth already were dead. The firefighters contained the blaze to their back bedroom, but the entire house was damaged by smoke and water.
Investigators have ruled out arson, but haven’t determined what caused the fire. The bedroom had doubled as a utility area, with a washer, dryer and hot water tank.
“To tell you the truth, we might never know what caused it,” Fire Marshal Mark Frederick said.
Shannon Jenkins’ parents were at work at the time of the fire. Her oldest son, 6-year-old Zachery, was playing next door at a friend’s house.
It was a rental home, and there were no smoke detectors. There also was no rental insurance. Cummings said the family is staying with various relatives, but they need clothing and bedding. A drop-off location has been set up at XXX, and a fund has been established at XXXX Bank.
According to Cummings, Shannon Jenkins has been treated for smoke inhalation and remains in shock.
Funeral arrangements are pending for the children and you can click here now to know more about the best option to choose in making the funeral arrangements which has been acknowledged by everyone in this city.
81 responses to “‘I probably would have died with them’”
970814 763406You need to join in a contest first with the greatest blogs on the internet. I will recommend this web website! 381635
564588 477603Thanks for the wonderful post against your weblog, it genuinely provides me with a look about this subject.??;~.?? 544974
380056 708941Magnificent beat ! I would like to apprentice whilst you amend your internet site, how could i subscribe for a weblog website? The account helped me a appropriate deal. I had been just a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided brilliant transparent notion 402223
419079 942242Hi, Neat post. There?s a dilemma with your internet site in internet explorer, would test this? IE still is the market leader and a big portion of folks will miss your great writing because of this issue. 386673
947137 119431What is excellent respecting is dealing with instead of depending on. 162991
858228 374539Great weblog, I?m going to spend far more time reading about this topic 808271
710757 598753Go to our site for details about securities based lending and far more. There is details about stock and equity loans as properly as application forms. 317001
520070 314387My brother suggested I would possibly like this blog. He was once entirely correct. This submit truly made my day. You can?t believe just how so much time I had spent for this details! Thank you! 873066
45910 35510In the event you tow a definite caravan nor van movie trailer your entire family pretty soon get exposed towards the down sides towards preventing finest securely region. awnings 429177
450275 374317I like this internet web site very considerably, Its a truly nice billet to read and obtain info . 624926
200692 737009Spot i?ll carry on with this write-up, I truly believe this internet site requirements a terrific deal a lot more consideration. I?ll oftimes be once much more to see far far more, several thanks that info. 159438
879622 678956This internet internet site is my breathing in, truly great layout and perfect content . 453017
928329 615451As I internet site possessor I believe the content matter here is rattling fantastic , appreciate it for your efforts. You need to keep it up forever! Finest of luck. 722599
261353 167519I saw lots of internet site but I believe this 1 has got something special in it in it 573350
292973 684221I really prize your function , Fantastic post. 305471
932937 148723i was just browsing along and came upon your weblog. just wantd to say wonderful internet site and this post actually helped me. 151787
280628 370543Intersting post and web site. Great that Google listed so i was able to get here. This site will go no in my bookmarks from now. 550363
331482 388034Hello there! I could have sworn I?ve been to this weblog before but following reading by way of some of the post I realized it?s new to me. Anyhow, I?m undoubtedly pleased I found it and I?ll be book-marking and checking back often! 773448
840345 727977An incredibly fascinating read, I may not concur completely, but you do make some extremely valid points. 946818
782852 700344Oh my goodness! an superb post dude. Thanks a lot Even so I?m experiencing dilemma with ur rss . Do not know why Struggle to register for it. Can there be any person locating identical rss problem? Anyone who knows kindly respond. Thnkx 856496
952478 258844Its exceptional as your other posts : D, regards for posting . 740796
138959 129370The book is excellent, but this review is not exactly spot-on. Being a Superhero is more about selecting foods that heal your body, not just eating meat/dairy-free. Processed foods like those mentioned in this review aren?t what Alicia is trying to promote. If you aren?t open to sea vegetables (and yes, I?m talking sea weed), just stop at vegan. 687982
823520 308315You got a quite good site, Gladiola I discovered it via yahoo. 193411
758451 800848If I need to say something, then nothing will stop the chatter within 477756
249695 932236Hey there! Very good post! Please when all could see a follow up! 117954
349667 102080Housing a different movement in a genuine case or re-dialed model. 620075
364698 293570Cheers for this excellent. I was wondering should you were thining of writing comparable posts to this 1. .Keep up the excellent articles! 860233
109363 293498You made various excellent points there. I did a search on the topic and found many people will have exactly the same opinion along with your blog. 264386
566895 826259Enjoyed examining this, very great stuff, thanks . 112242
561561 334408There is numerous separate years Los angeles Weight reduction eating strategy with each a person is really a necessity. The pioneer part can be your original finding rid of belonging to the extra pounds. la weight loss 722107
876167 130530Hi there. Really cool web site!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Great .. I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds additionally?I am glad to locate so a lot valuable info right here within the article. Thanks for sharing? 584126
55336 265993I genuinely treasure your piece of work, Wonderful post. 844519
678803 725921Hey, you used to write amazing, but the last few posts have been kinda boring? I miss your tremendous writings. Past few posts are just a little out of track! come on! 784194
311316 899892Basically received my 1st cavity. Rather devastating. I would like a super smile. Looking a good deal more choices. Numerous thanks for the article 388145
water sounds
373211 79619Soon after examine a couple of of the weblog posts inside your web site now, and I truly like your manner of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark web site list and may possibly be checking back soon. Pls take a appear at my website as effectively and let me know what you feel. 425905
jazz saxophone
heavenly harp music
908923 619473Admiring the time and energy you put into your weblog and in depth info you offer. It is excellent to come across a weblog every once in a although that isn?t the same old rehashed material. Wonderful read! I?ve bookmarked your web site and I?m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account. 396595
735270 718825As I site possessor I believe the subject material here is rattling amazing , appreciate it for your efforts. 556436
332578 997725There exist a couple of many different distinct levels among the California Weight loss program and each and every a person is pretty critical. You are procedure stands out as the the actual giving up with all of the power. weight loss 854537
136774 250220I adore your wp style, wherever did you download it through? 215624
487957 39872Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and identified that it is really informative. I?m gonna watch out for brussels. I?ll be grateful should you continue this in future. Numerous people will likely be benefited from your writing. Cheers! 457513
568658 906723I got what you intend, saved to favorites , extremely decent internet website . 155058
486393 353910Dead written subject matter, Genuinely enjoyed reading through . 899283
instrumental music
570967 90718Excellent weblog here! Additionally your web site rather a lot up quick! What host are you the usage of? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol 391149
118063 823057I dugg some of you post as I thought they were extremely beneficial invaluable 63190
462155 922504Definitely,Chilly location! We stumbled on the cover and I?m your own representative. limewire limewire 43939
782556 800369Hi, Neat post. There?s a difficulty together with your web site in internet explorer, would test this? IE still could be the market leader and a big portion of people will miss your wonderful writing because of this problem. 904423