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UPDATED: Wyandotte House Fire Displaces Family of 5

The children's Christmas presents were hidden in the basement and were lost in the blaze.

 

A Friday night fire has forced a family of five out of their Wyandotte home just days before Christmas.

And now, friends and family are rallying to gather some basic essentials to tide them over through the holidays.

The blaze began between 6 and 6:30 p.m. in the basement of the house in the 100 block of Goddard, Fire Chief Jeffery Carley said.

Natalie Kelly and her three children — Rosalie, 8 months; Katelynn, 5; and Jaden, 10 — were home at the time of the fire, along with their four cats, but everyone got out safely. The father, Greggory DeRoch, was at work.

While the fire was contained to a portion of the basement, Carley said, there is smoke damage throughout the entire house. The cause of the fire is undetermined, he said.

"There is significant damage to the basement," Carley said. "The house is certainly not habitable at this point in time."

The children's Christmas presents were hidden in the basement and were ruined.

The family, who only has the clothes they were wearing at the time of the fire, is staying with relatives for the time being. 

Gregg's brother, Daniel DeRoch, said everyone is thankful for the outreach of friends, neighbors and complete strangers, all offering assistance and donations.

"It is great seeing a community come together to help good people who had hardship fall upon them," he said. "They are feeling overwhelmed at this time not being the type to ask for any help. Not having any money due to the purchase of Christmas gifts for the children and each other."

Gary and Mary Cioccio, who live across the street, have volunteered to collect donations for the family. Items can be dropped off at 119 Goddard. 

For those wanting to help, here's the current wish list:

  • Rosalie, 8 months old. Wears 9-12 month clothes and size 3 diapers. Also needs winter hats, coat and blankets. 
  • Katelynn, 5. Wears 6 or 6x pants and shirts. Also needs boots, size 13. 
  • Jaden, 10. Wears size 8 regular pants and size 8 or boys medium shirts. Also needs winter boots, size boys 3.
  • Greggory, father. Wears size 34x34 pants and XL shirts. 
  • Natalie, mother. Wears sizes 10 to 12 pants.
Related Topics: Wyandotte Fire Department and Wyandotte fire

stephine

4:10 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2012

I have girls clothes I can donate size 6...please let me know how I can help. My email is Stephine614@hotmail.com

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jenn1985

4:34 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2012

Please let me know where how and where we can donate and drop off clothing at jennmcintosh23@gmail.com

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Patty Mashike

4:43 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2012

please let me know where donations can be dropped off please. I will do whatever i can. Thanks No one should og without anything let alone without anything around the holidays. This is horrible. I feel so bad.

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Cynthia Loucks

6:25 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2012

Please let me know where I can donate animalaunt@wyan.org. Cindie

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KATHY SLACK

8:06 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2012

I got stuff for the baby possibly!!! Just need sizes to be sure! Possibly baby toys too angelrainbowinspirations@gmail.com

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Janell Weston

8:51 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2012

I have baby girl clothes and maybe even some toys for her. I also have some womens clothing depending on her size :) nellybellies@yahoo.com

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Jason Alley

9:45 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2012

Thanks, everyone, for your kind offers. I've reached out to the family to let them know of all of the donations being offered. I'll update here when I find out more.

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Matt Snyder

12:03 am on Sunday, December 23, 2012

I've got a Meijer Gift Card I'd like to donate to the family for expenses on food and any other essentials they may need during this time. They are customers of mine at the Wyandotte Hungry Howies and I recognize the house in the picture from delivering to them from time to time. Msnyder2005@gmail.com

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Daniel DeRoch

12:19 am on Sunday, December 23, 2012

As a member of the family I would like to say thank you very much to all of you that wish to help. It is great seeing a community come together to help good people who had hardship fall upon them. They are feeling overwhelmed at this time not being the type to ask for any help. Not having any money due to the purchase of Christmas gifts for the children and each other.

Speaking to them the following is accurate information.
Their current needs are.
-Rosalie is 8 months old. Wears 9-12 month clothes. Size 3 diapers. Good on bottles. She does need winter hats and coat. Blankets
-Katelynn is age 5. Size 6 or 6x. She is in need of pants and shirts. She does not have any boots. Size girls 13.
- Jaden is age 10. Size 8 regular pants. Shirts size 8 or boys medium. Winter boots size boys 3.

-Greg Size 34x34 pants, XL shirts. He only has the clothes he wore to go to work that night. My pants wont fit him. He can swim in mine.
Natalie - vary reluctant to disclose her clothing size. But I managed to finally get it from her. Size depending on how the pants are made, between 10 and 12. Also only has what she was wearing.

All the gifts were hidden in the basement. All were lost to the fire.
People asking where to send donations to. The neighbor across the street has offered a place to collect the donations. Address is
119 Goddard
Wyandotte, MI 48192
Contacts Gary or Marry.

I don't know what more to add, Sorry.
Again thank you all very much.

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Jason Alley

2:18 am on Sunday, December 23, 2012

Thanks for sharing all of that info, Daniel. I'll be sure to update the story and let everyone who's left a comment here know where they can take donations to.

As you said, it's great to see a community come together. And for that, all of you have my sincere thanks. In a time of need, Wyandotte always manages to find ways to come together.

Happy holidays, everyone.

Doug Pettigrew

9:10 am on Sunday, December 23, 2012

Jason,
Any mention of what kind of toys and stuff the children were asking for?

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Jason Alley

12:06 pm on Sunday, December 23, 2012

Great question, Doug. This is what is posted on Facebook:

"Katelynn asked for Barbie stuff and princess dress up stuff and Jaden asked for legos and army stuff, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid books."

Angela Farley

9:27 am on Sunday, December 23, 2012

It's sad to lose everything like this at any time of the year but even more tragic around Christmas. It's nice to see a community rally together to help someone else. I'm of the opinion that when helping someone else the giver truly gets the greatest reward in knowing you gave of yourself to help someone less fortunate. It's actions like this that make me still believe in Santa Claus! And also happy I moved to Wyandotte!

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Kevin Fischer

9:31 am on Sunday, December 23, 2012

@Daniel DeRoch.... I am a Wyandotte resident and local business owner. Every Christmas I adopt a family in need. I have not had the time to search but it would seem the family has found me this year. Please contact me at (734)250-3722 as I would like to help.

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KATHY SLACK

9:56 am on Sunday, December 23, 2012

Is there a time of day they are collecting? I could fill some stuff up right now, I just do not want to drag anyone out of bed :)

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roxanne

10:48 am on Sunday, December 23, 2012

On our way with our donations!

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michelle edgerton

11:26 am on Sunday, December 23, 2012

I just wanna say thank you all who are helping this family i have been friends with Natalie since we where kids i was so heart broken when she called me it still saddens me but im so happy at the same time for everyone that is reaching out they will appreciate it i know it

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Matt Snyder

12:16 pm on Sunday, December 23, 2012

I'm on my way to drop off the gift card. I hope the family can get some things they want or need for Christmas.

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Lisa

12:25 pm on Sunday, December 23, 2012

Will be on our way shortly to drop off stuff for dad, Jaden and a gift card to get whatever else you guys can. My heart goes out to you and everyone helping...God Bless!

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nicki wethington

1:16 pm on Sunday, December 23, 2012

Thank you to all helping out this family jaden is a close friend to my little boy. We from the bottom of hearts thank you all!! Merry christmas to all

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Doug Pettigrew

6:11 pm on Sunday, December 23, 2012

Just wanted to quickly thank First Congregational Church of Wyandotte. I made an announcement about this in church, and by the time I left, between the soup kitchen and the generous people of the congregation, I had 3 boxes of toys, 3 bags of personal hygiene stuff and quite a bit of money that we were able to give to the family! No one can beat Wyandotte's community!! We can all come together and get this family back on their feet.

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Jason Alley

7:14 pm on Sunday, December 23, 2012

Great news, Doug. Thanks for letting us know. From your donations, the other donations mentioned on this story and those who have emailed me privately, this family's Christmas is sure to be looking up.

Frank Wladyslawski

7:13 pm on Sunday, December 23, 2012

I just spoke with Gary and Mary at 119 Goddard and they said one of the biggest needs as of right now is clothing for the two adults.

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Doug Pettigrew

8:35 pm on Sunday, December 23, 2012

Frank,
Any specific clothes? Like dress clothes or jeans and t-shirts?

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Frank Wladyslawski

1:10 am on Monday, December 24, 2012

Hi Doug, unfortunately I don't know the specific type of clothing they need. I also sent you two messages on Facebook tonight.

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nicki wethington

10:43 am on Monday, December 24, 2012

My family got clothes for the adults too. delivering them to them today! :-)

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Julie Abshire

9:22 am on Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Reading through the posts... I haven't yet seen a drop off location, but I know that we have some clothing for the adults if still required?

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Jason Alley

9:41 am on Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Here you go, Julie.

"Gary and Mary Cioccio, who live across the street, have volunteered to collect donations for the family. Items can be dropped off at 119 Goddard. "

Julie Abshire

1:03 pm on Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Thanks Jason! If they still need clothes, I will sort through ours tonight!

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