Area family still needs help

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Anyone wishing to contribute may do so by donating to the Care of the Long Family Fire Fund, which has been set up through Hancock County Savings Bank.

NEW CUMBERLAND -Tragedy hit home as emergency vehicles responded to a call about a house fire that turned into a total loss at the Long residence at 705 S. Chestnut St. in New Cumberland on Christmas Eve.

Richard and Lori Long, along with their two daughters, Katlin and Ricky, and their two dogs, Macy and Scooby, came together to support each other in their time of need. The Longs, who had lived the house for 18 years, said it's been hard for them and their daughters to adjust and deal with what has happened.

They recall watching TV when one of their daughters went to go into the bathroom when she shouted that there was smoke. Lori Long said she was tempted to go to bed earlier that evening but decided not to because her niece was supposed to visit and added that it was a good thing she didn't.

"You see things like this happen on TV all the time and you just think 'well that can't happen to me' but it really can," said Richard Long.

The family spent approximately nine days in a two-bed hotel room at the Holiday Inn as they waited for an apartment to be ready by Thursday.

"It's especially hard going from a two-story, three bedroom house to a hotel room and then an apartment," said Lori Long.

The Longs stated they were originally supposed to be able to stay at the hotel until Thursday, but said the Red Cross in the Canton-Akron, Ohio, area denied funding because of their lack of funds. The Longs said they had gone to the East Liverpool Red Cross, which had already approved the funding, only to be denied.

"The young lady working there was really torn up over her having to deny us but there's only so much she could do," said Richard Long.

Lori Long said even though it's been hard for them, friends, family and the community have been a big help. She said many of the churches helped raise the money for them to be able to stay at the hotel as long as they did.

"The support we've gotten is overwhelming," she added. "Overall, we're just grateful we all made it out alive."

They said many of their neighbors helped them go through the rubble to attempt to salvage anything they could, but because of smoke damage, nothing could be saved.

"I believe all things happen for a reason," said Lori Long, "but I just can't see the reason in this."

The Longs stated that several people, including people they don't know such as Candice Webb from Chester and a man named John who lives right up over the hill, have touched their lives.

"Candice Webb called us up and said she had gotten some money for Christmas and wanted to give it to us," said Richard Long.

"I also had a gentleman say that I didn't know him but he knew me and handed me money."

They added that the Salvation Army is set to help with some furniture and some food and with permission from their parents, one school teacher took Katlin and Ricky shopping for clothes.

The Longs would like to thank everyone who has helped them and their daughters through this event.

When they are able to do so, the Longs plan to rebuild a home on the same property.

A bank account has been set up at the Hancock County Savings Bank to the "Care of the Long Family Fire Fund" for anyone wishing to donate any amount of money.

(Dickson can be contacted at adickson@weirtondailytimes.com)