HIGHFILL — An early morning fire completely destroyed the home of Garvin and Ila Reid at 13588 Gailey Hollow Road, Siloam Springs (in the Highfill Community), on Friday.
Fire departments from Highfill, Centerton, Gentry and Gallatin responded to the blaze which was called in a few minutes before 7 a.m. as a fully engulfed structure fire.
The Reids had both gone to work and were not home at the time of the blaze. Though there was initially concern that Garvin Reid might have been in the home because he had not taken his cell phone with him to work, he was soon contacted and an all clear was given.
Firefighters had to standby and were not able to extinguish the fire for some time because they had to wait for the electric company to arrive and shut off the power to the burning home.
The cause of the fire was still under investigation Friday morning and, according to firefighters, may be difficult to determine because of the total destruction of the home.
“We lost everything,” Ila Reid said, mentioning irreplaceable items in the home, some which had been her grandmother’s, and also a 2002 GMC pickup truck which was parked in the garage.
Garvin Reid too said all was a total loss, but was thankful no one was home and hurt in the fire.
The Reids built the three-bedroom home on a hill above Gailey Hollow Road, just south of Highfill, in 2000.
The Reids met with family members and friends at the Village Market in Highfill - where Ila works - following the fire. They planned to stay with their children until other arrangements were made. Though the home was insured, Ila said they didn’t think they would rebuild at the same location.
Jodie Reid, a daughter, said she would be setting up an account for her parents at Decatur State Bank so that members of the community who wished to help her parents could do so. She also said anyone wishing more information on her parents’ needs or ways to help could call her at 479-233-9054.
Community, Pages 3 on 01/20/2010