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ROCKPORT, Summit County — An estimated 250 homes are still evacuated from the Rockport fire in Summit County. Displaced residents spent the day waiting for news from fire officials regarding the status of their homes.
While waiting for news about their cabin from fire officials, the Gilberts watched footage from Chopper 5 of a ball of fire engulf their family cabin on TV. Though the footage was difficult to watch, they said it was better than not knowing.
"When they zoomed in close enough to identify structures and things, we knew that was our cabin," said Nick Gilbert.
They double checked Google Earth to make sure they were viewing the same image.
While the cabin was not their primary residence, Gilbert said more than four decades of family memories had been made in that house.
"Wasn't perfect, but it was a nice place to get away," he said. "It would be nice to be able to get the things out of there, and salvage whatever there is that can be salvaged."
They expressed sadness for those whose primary homes were destroyed.
"I'm really sad for those who have lost their homes that lived there," Patti Gilbert said.
The Gilberts were not sure whether they will rebuild the cabin. They said they had tried before to get fire insurance, but had a tough time because of the cabin's location and its distance from water sources. It was worth about $50,000, he said.
Wednesday afternoon, a few homeowners were allowed to go back to their properties to assess damages. Rani Butters said she was worried about her cats left back at home. When she returned home, the pets were unharmed.
"They could have suffocated. They could have been burnt," Butters said.
Butters said watching the fire from the evacuation site was stressful.
"I had to sit there and watch as the fire was going towards my neighbors house and my house," she said. "All I could do was sit and watch. I felt beyond helpless, like, what am I supposed to do?"
Fire officials asked asked residents to evacuate as quickly as possible and entrust the fire fighting work to their crews.
- fire covered 1200-1500 acres
- 14 homes lost
- approximately 20 outbuildings lost
- 250 homes still evacuated
Three helicopters spent most of the day picking up water at Rockport Reservoir and dumping it on the fire.
As homeowners returned to survey any damages left by the fire, they expressed concern over what they might find.
"It was hard this morning, going up, because you didn't know," said resident Bobetta Butters.
Bobetta Butters was allowed to go back up to her home this morning to get her pets.
"(The fire) just went up to our little shed and it didn't touch anything," she explained.
Fourteen homeowners lost homes in the fire. Evacuated resident Brenda Child said her heart breaks for those who lost homes.
"It's really terrible for those who have lost their homes," Child said. "Our prayers and thoughts go out to them. It's a really, really rough time."
Many residents are asking fire officials when they will be given the green light to return to their homes to live. Officials said residents might not be allowed back to their homes until Thursday night at the earliest.
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