Published: December 12, 2008 08:37 am      

Pa. Family Thankful

Home destroyed, possessions lost in Saturday night blaze

HYNDMAN, Pa. — Jeremy Scheid and his family lost all their material possessions when fire swept through their Bedford County residence Saturday night, but the family remains grateful.

“You don’t realize how many good people there are until you are in a situation like this,” said Scheid on Thursday at his mother-in-law’s residence in Hyndman.

It was 8:15 p.m. when fire destroyed the Scheid family’s two-story residence at 8149 Hyndman Road in the village of Bard, Harrison Township.

Scheid, his wife, Amanda, and their sons, 5 1/2-year-old Damon and 3-month-old Aiden, were not at home when the fire began in the living room of the six-room home where they had resided for the past two years.

The cause of the fire has not been determined although the fire marshal has indicated it appeared to be accidental and electrical, according to Sheid and Ron Scritchfield, Amanda’s grandfather, who owns the property.

“The fire marshal determined the fire began on the first floor but due to the large amount of debris he was not able to make a final determination. He said he’s relatively sure it was accidental,” said Scritchfield.

“The fire destroyed the home and all of its contents. We don’t know the dollar amount. We just know it’s totaled,” said Scritchfield.

The family is in need of every kind of household possession, including appliances. A lot of clothing has been provided to the family in the aftermath of the fire.

“There’s been an overwhelming response. We’re OK on clothing. There are so many people out there who have, out of the kindness of their heart, responded to us. Whatever we can’t use, we’re taking to the Goodwill,” said Scheid.

The incident brought several fire companies to the scene and injured Hyndman volunteer firefighter Craig Evans, Scheid’s brother-in-law.

“Craig was fighting the fire inside and fell through a staircase. His fellow firefighters reached down and pulled him out. Craig weighs 270 pounds without his gear. He’s a big boy,” said Scheid.

Evans was treated at Bedford Memorial Hospital and released later that evening after being taken there by Shawnee Valley Ambulance.

Through it all, Scheid remains appreciative and optimistic.

“We’re so thankful for everything. We’ll get by. We’ll be OK,” he said. “We’re blessed. We really are.”

Anyone wishing to assist the Scheid family may call (814) 842-9364 or (814) 842-6169.

Contact Jeffrey Alderton at jlalderton@times-news.com.