It was the day before Thanksgiving and Michael King had gone out to the shed to work and smoke. He threw down his cigarette and went in his home for a drink.
As he stood in the cold predawn beside the flashing lights of the fire trucks Wednesday, Nov. 23, King recalled looking outside, seeing smoke and rushing to the garage which was on fire.
“I tried to put it out. See, I got a knot on my head,” he said, pointing to a bump on his forehead.
His girlfriend, Lacy Montgomery, and their two children, a 4-year-old girl and 6-year-old boy, were asleep inside. King woke them up and got them out safely.
Firefighters from Pea Ridge Volunteer Fire Department responded, backed up by firefighters from both Little Flock and Northeast Benton County volunteer fire departments.
Fire from the garage spread to the three-bedroom, three-bath trailer, which was a total loss.
King’s parents, Roger and Paulette King, own the trailer, which they originally bought for her mother.
Michael King said there were about 10 to 12 ricks of wood he had for sale stacked against the outside wall of the garage.
“We’re just so thankful that everyone was safe,” Mrs. King said.
Many donations of clothing have come in for the family, said Sherry Trevathan, secretary at Pea Ridge Primary School, where the children attend school.
To help the family, Friday is “hat day,” Trevathan said. Students may wear a hat and pay $1 which will go towards providing supplies - sheets, blankets and other necessities - for the King/ Montgomery family.
Persons wishing to donate to the family, may leave items at Pea Ridge Primary School.
News, Pages 1 on 11/30/2011