Fire Destroys Women’s Shelter, Displaces 8

KILGORE — An East Texas women’s shelter is devastated by fire. KETK reports that a blaze started Monday afternoon in the kitchen of the Haven House, which is home to eight, including three children under the age of five. This is a women’s shelter that is affiliated with the Living Word Church in Kilgore. From furniture to toys, everything was destroyed. Haven House director Sandi Heiermann said the fire came quickly and the family members, who have already experienced hardships, now have another obstacle to face. “They couldn’t take their purse or the cell phone or their own personal belongings; they were more concerned with human life and so they’ve lost everything.”

The three directors of the women’s shelter were up in the early morning hours Tuesday, taking action to help get the families back on their feet. Director Margaret Gill said they have been working with church members and the community to come up with a plan for moving forward. “Today we’re all gathering together just to get another plan to come together to pray together and there might be more people in the community coming by so we want to be sure we are here at the church to meet up with them,” said Gill.

A fundraising benefit is already in the works for Saturday, March 14th. The Living Word Church is hosting a Songwriter Concert and Art Show at 6 p.m. The admission will be free and an offering will be taken to benefit the ministry. The directors say they have been overwhelmed with support since the fire, and they are hoping for a miracle to get the families back to where they were. The church has a small facility
onsite that they plan to house to the eight who were displaced, but right now there are no mattresses or even electricity.

Despite the circumstances, Gill says the families are in good spirits. “The women and the children, they are staying positive. They’re encouraging one another.” All donations are currently being accepted at the Living Word Church at 1567 FM 1252 or the Haven House Ministries Thrift Store at 6977 N. Highway 42. Gill said you can also contact her at (903) 808-2262.