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ROCKPORT, Summit County— Only two families who were evacuated in a fire that has consumed 14 homes stayed at North Summit Middle School last night; others found family, friends and even strangers who did not hesitate to open their homes.
As he watched the fire grow, Stephen Pace said called the Red Cross to say he and his wife, Barbara, had room for evacuees and two pastures for farm animals.
Pace said they got a call asking if a family could be placed at their house, and he invited them to come over as soon as they could. Their guest family had only minutes to escape yesterday afternoon before fire engulfed their home.
"They told me their house was a total loss," Pace said. "They have his work vehicle, one of their personal vehicles, the clothes on their back and the dog."
Emergency Medical Services Supervisor Melanie Bosworth is also an LDS stake Relief Society president in Coalville. When the fire flared, she was inundated with offers.
Neighborhoods affected: Bridge Hollow, Rockport Estates and sections of Promontory
"We had people coming out of the woodwork immediately and within that first 15, 20 minutes, we had 45 individuals come forwards that said, ‘we have space to have people sleep, we have horse trailers, we will take the animals, we will do anything that people need to help," Bosworth said.
And they never hesitated to share whatever they had.
"We should make our home available because we'd appreciate if somebody would help us out if we were in that position," Pace said.
The Pace family said the father, mother, children and dog of the family they took in are welcome to stay as long as they need a place. They also said other neighbors have delivered food and clothing to the family staying with them.
