A young Sheridan family is safe but without their home for the holidays after a wind-whipped fire early Thursday burned their home to the ground.
Luke and Faith Sorenson, both 26, along with 3-year-old daughter, Emmy, and newborn son, Oliver, escaped the flames just after midnight at their home in the 100 block of Taylor Road, 14 miles northwest of Sheridan.
“We had just gone to bed an hour before that,” Faith Sorenson said. As the mom of a newborn, she said she was really tired and quickly fell asleep.
Many nights Luke is gone working 24-hour shifts as a nurse/paramedic. She said she was thankful he was home on Thursday night to hear the smoke detector go off in the shop attached to the home.
The couple had just purchased the property earlier this year, and the metal-sided shop and home were built in the past five years after a previous home on the property had also been destroyed by a fire.
Sorenson said she believes the fire originated in a coal stove in the shop. She said many people in their area heat with coal.
“Luckily my husband heard (the alarm),” she said. “He got up and checked it and it seemed manageable …we checked it again and the fire was coming really fast. We got up, got the kids out, and really didn’t take anything with us.”
Because of their location, Sorenson said they did not have cell service, and her husband had to use a radio to contact dispatchand call in the blaze.
Sheridan Fire and Rescue Lt. Paul Juergens said the department was dispatched to the fire at 12:41 a.m. on Thursday. In addition to an engine with five Sheridan firefighters, Goose Valley Fire Department responded with a truck and four firefighters while the Big Horn Volunteer fire department sent two firefighters.
Garage “Fully Involved
“When we got there the garage was fully involved and there was a 50-mph wind that was fanning the flames pretty hard,” Juergens said. “It was about 25 minutes to get out there, most of it was on gravel roads.”
Because there was no fire hydrant available, the crews quickly used up the 500 gallons on the Sheridan engine and 2,500 gallons on the Goose Valley truck. Juergens said Goose Valley sent another truck with 6,000 gallons and Clearmont Fire Department later helped by bringing more water.
The winds fanned the flames and heat making fighting the fire difficult even with water available, Juergens said. He said the wind made the fire and flames so hot he could not safely go on the back side of the structure to get a “360” perspective.
“Most of the time we were without water and watching it burn because we couldn’t do anything about it. Which is a pretty helpless feeling,” Juergens said.
Juergens said he could not release any information on the cause of the fire, except to say that it is under investigation. He said state fire marshals have already been at the property.
Sorenson said it was hard for her to watch their new home up in flames and that normally the winds around the region are not that bad.
As a mom of a newborn, while sitting in the car, her thoughts went to her new son when she realized she didn’t have any diapers in the car and Walmart would not open until 6 a.m.
All of the Christmas presents the couple purchased for their children were destroyed. Emmy, who had just celebrated her birthday earlier this month, almost lost all of her new gifts.
“We did save one of her stuffed animals that is her favorite in the whole world,” Sorenson said. “But some people have given us games and stuff, animals and toys.”
She said she understood that Sheridan Fire and Rescue were going to go shopping for the kids for Christmas.
‘We’re Really Grateful’
Sorenson said the outpouring of support through a GoFundMe fundraiser and from gifts, money and kids’ clothing people have donated has been overwhelming.
Because they are staying in a temporary space right now, the Sorensons may have trouble storing all the donations.
But with a newborn, Sorenson said, the family is grateful for all diaper donations. Gift cards, she said, are extremely helpful, as well.
“We’re really grateful and blown away by everyone who has wanted to help us,” she said. “It’s been a really great feeling to have that support.”
The couple plans to rebuild their home and are talking with their insurance company. For now, they are looking to rent a homewhile staying with friends for the time being.
Casey Terrell, a friend from Sheridan, said he has known the couple for the past few years and characterized them as humble “servant leaders” in the community willing to reach out and help others.
“They are two folks that do things for their friends and family and also their communities, but they are not loud about it,” he said. "Luke works incredibly hard for the EMT service and will be the last guy to tell you about it.
"My heart breaks that this has happened to them. You hate to say bad things happen to good people but in this instance, it is really true.
"You couldn’t find two folks that are less deserving of something unfortunate like this happening to them.”
Dale Killingbeck can be reached at dale@cowboystatedaily.com.
