Family who lost it all in fire thank firefighters with meal

A Warren County family who lost their home in a fire thanked volunteer firefighters for their efforts by providing them with a meal.

Heather Mullins Williams lost her family home on Jennifer Drive to a fire Friday night. Firefighters from Culkin and Bovina worked the fire.

“My mama & daddy are really gone. Everything I had left of them and every childhood memory I have,” messaged Williams about the home she and her sister, Helen, grew up in.

(photo by VDN reader)

Williams, her son and her dog survived, but their cat did not. “I had insurance,” explained Williams. “I don’t want any gofundme or donations.”

Monday night, Williams, her sister, Helen Mullins Ashley, and family friend, Kim Garcia, decided to thank the firefighters with a meal.

“Not to publicize us – but to give them attention. They don’t get paid and they busted their behinds in 963-degree heat trying to save something for us. And if they hadn’t been so quick, the other houses would’ve been in danger.”

Garcia cooked up enchiladas, beans and rice with a white cheese sauce for the Culkin firefighters. Next week they will treat Bovina firefighters.

Fireman Cedric Martin leads a group of Culkin firefighters in prayer before a meal. Photo by David Day

“We do it to be good neighbors,” said Jeff Riggs with the Warren County Fire Service. “The Warren County Fire Service is staffed with members of the community who feel the need to serve their neighbors. I am proud to be associated with such a fine group of men and women.”

If you would like to join the Warren County Fire Service, call Warren County Fire Coordinator Jerry Briggs (Fireboss) at 601-631-8806 and he will walk you through the steps. Training is provided every step of the way.