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Woman, 95, loses Lake Mary home to fire
A 95-year-old woman was left homeless just days before Christmas after a fire destroyed her Lake Mary home, authorities said Thursday.
LAKE MARY, Fla. - A 95-year-old woman was left homeless just days before Christmas after a fire destroyed her Lake Mary home, authorities said Thursday.
Eleanor Simmons was not at home when the fire broke out, spending time with her daughter, Karen Simmons.
The backstory:
Karen said a faulty ceiling fan vent likely caused the blaze.
"Thank God she wasn’t home," Karen Simmons said, recalling the thick smoke that filled the house.
The fire left melted siding, boarded-up windows, and caution tape surrounding the property, but Eleanor’s family said they remain grateful that she escaped unharmed.
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Firefighters were also able to recover a cherished item from the home: the ashes of Eleanor’s late husband, preserved from her parents’ 75-year marriage.
"We could be negative and say everything’s ruined, but then you realize we have ourselves. We’re still a family. This is just stuff," Karen Simmons said.
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Eleanor is currently staying with family while the home is being assessed.
Family members said the incident serves as a reminder to cherish loved ones during the holidays.
"Hug your family, spend time with them…differences are differences, but the holiday is a time for forgiveness and bringing people together," Karen Simmons said.
The Source: This story was written based on information shared by Karen Simmons, whose mother, Eleanor Simmons, lost her Lake Mary home to a fire.