Community Rallies For Family Displaced By House Fire

Community Rallies For Family Displaced By House Fire
1 fire pic to use

OCEAN PINES — A residential fire in Ocean Pines last Friday severely damaged a house, destroyed its contents and displaced a young family of six, spurring the local community to rally for neighbors in need.

Around 7 p.m. last Friday, the Ocean Pines and Showell Fire Departments were dispatched to a reported residential fire on Frigate Run in Ocean Pines. First-responding units quickly called for backup from the Berlin and Ocean City Fire departments. The fire was brought under control, but it rekindled again around 3:30 a.m. on Saturday morning and severely damaged the structure and destroyed its contents.

The cause of the fire is considered accidental and the initial fire has been attributed to unattended cooking. The house was occupied at the time by Jesse and Hailey Scott and their four children, ages 12 to five months.

The family was able to get out safely and no injuries were reported, but nearly everything was lost. To that end, in the time-honored tradition of rallying for those in need, the local community has launched a relief effort on several fronts to assist the Scott family, which is reportedly now staying with friends while they seek a more permanent place to live.

Just days after the fire, a “go fund me” campaign was set up under the Scott Family Relief Fund and by mid-week, the site had collected nearly $6,800. There are at least two events scheduled for this week to help raise funds for the Scott family.

On Friday night, a Pool Party Fundraiser has been set at the Sports Core Pool in Ocean Pines from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. A donation of $5 per person will be collected and 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to the family.

On Sunday, the Bliss Salon in West Ocean City is hosting a Cut-a-Thon on behalf of the Scott family. Local residents and their families are invited to the salon between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for free haircuts with a donation to the Scott Family Fire Relief Fund. Bliss Salon is accepting cash, gift cards, toys and household items to help get the Scott family back on their feet and recover from the devastating fire.

In addition, the Showell Elementary School PTA is organizing the collection of gift cards to area retailers for a basket to give to the Scott family. Two of the Scott children attend Showell and gift cards to area retailers are being collected.

For more information on how to donate and what is needd, visit the Scott Family Fire Relief Facebook page. The “go fund me” page at www.gofundme.com/egc0dg also includes instructions on how to make monetary contributions along with physical contributions such as clothing and furniture, for example.