EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated with additional information from the Watervliet Fire Department.
At about 1 a.m. Monday, Amber and Daniel Meyers woke to the sound of fire alarms and smoke coming from the shared bedroom of their two young sons.
The couple’s parental instincts immediately kicked in to get all four of their children – ranging from five months to 14 years old – out of their mobile home at 7604 Red Arrow Hwy in Watervliet.
“We went into ‘super mode,’ Amber Meyers said. “We just grabbed our kids, ran outside, got in our car, backed out of the driveway and called 9-1-1. We didn’t know where the fire was coming from, and we didn’t stop to look. … I can’t even explain how we all got out so quickly.”
Meyers said the fire department told her the fire may have started from an electrical outlet in her sons’ room.
UPDATE: Watervliet Fire Chief Bill Whitney on Wednesday said the investigation is still ongoing. He could not give additional details, but said there are multiple other factors involved in what could have started the fire.
Regardless of how the fire started, Meyers said the family lost all of their possessions.
“It’s heartbreaking to know that everything we worked for, every memory of your child being born, is gone,” said Meyers, adding her job at Yes! Communities in Sodus is the only source of income for the family because her husband is disabled. “My kids lost everything they got for Christmas. … What I do by my kids, it means everything to them because they know how hard I work to do it.
“To see it go up in smoke, it’s enough to make you cry.”
The family’s two eldest children, 9 and 14 years old, were both adopted about four years ago and have had a traumatic past, Meyers said.
“They of all people are taking it the hardest because they had nothing to begin with, and everything we built the past four years … now it’s all gone again,” she said. “We’re just trying to pick our lives back up and start over. We’re just trying to be as much of a normal family as we can be in this time, but we’re just devastated.”
How to help
Insurance has covered a motel for the family to stay in while they get back on their feet, but Meyers said it does not offer an adequate sleeping situation for the young ones. She said the most immediate need is cribs for their five-month-old and 21-month-old babies.
Anyone interested in donating these items directly to the family can contact Amber Meyers via Facebook.
Meyers also has set up a GoFundMe for those who want to contribute money for the family’s other needs, which include clothes, food and hygiene products.
The five-month-old girl wears size 3 diapers and size 3/6 to 6/9 months clothes. The 21-month-old son wears size 4 to 5t pull-ups, size 4t clothes and size 8c shoes. The nine-year-old son wears size 10/12 clothes and size 6 shoes. The 14-year-old daughter wears a M/L shirt and size 5/6 pants, according to Meyers.
“Please do not give items to anyone claiming to be picking up donations for us,” Meyers said. “We are not getting them. I would prefer if people contact me directly.”
Message
Meyers said she is grateful everyone was able to get out of their home safely, and the first responders said everyone had a clean bill of health after the fire.
“Material things are replaceable, my children are not,” she said. “All I care about right now is that my kids are safe … I mean, we could have died. My two boys could have died. It happened right in their room. It was the scariest thing in my life.”
She also had a message for other families.
“Please make sure your batteries work in your smoke detector,” Meyers said. “That’s all I want people to know. That’s what saved our lives.”
Meyers added she is thankful for the support the family already has received, and appreciates any help the community can offer.
“We’re more than grateful,” she said. “We’re just tired. … My heart is just broken to pieces, I’m exhausted. My family is tired and we are just trying to pick up our [lives] right now. We lost everything, but we have each other and home is where ever we are gathered.”
https://www.facebook.com/amberbarwick/posts/pfbid02wurwkVqNp68UzgspvTaiDifnhxKcV2YAFJj1SKRGFRVW8VimGvzibuGto3m7RihDl
By Ryan Yuenger
ryany@wsjm.com
