PIRATES COVE – Fire erupted in the home of a local couple on Sunday, destroying everything and leaving them and their seven children little more than the clothes on their backs.
Firefighters were called to Mermie Road in Pirate’s Cove just after 5:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon and despite working to extinguish the flames, the home was a total loss. Early this morning, the fire rekindled again sparking another call-out for emergency responders and then yet again this evening as hot spots continued to emerge reigniting the flames.
The family, Jason and Amy Lee, along with their children, escaped without injury but concerned friends and family members say it will be a long road to replacing what has been lost. This morning, as firefighters returned due to the rekindle, few things were salvageable. However, among the rubble laid the couple’s marriage certificate – slightly burned around the edges but mostly in tact. It was discovered and returned to a tearful Lee. (see photo)
Chad Collie, a cousin to the family, has started a gofundme account saying, “On the evening of April 19 2015, my cousin Jason and his wife Amy lost their house and all belongings to 
fire. They have four children that they adopted and three foster children that they take care of. We are setting up this fund to help them recover from losing everything that they have worked so hard for. Any donation is very much appreciated.”
Clothing sizes for the family are as follows:
– Girls sizes 4t, size 8 in youth shoes
– Boys size 5T, size 11 shoes
– Boys size 6T, size 12 shoes
– Girls size 10, size 7 adult shoes
– Girls size 12, size 7 shoes
– Girls sizes 11 or 12 jeans, XL in shirts, size 7.5 in shoes
– Adult mens shirts 2Xl, pants 36×32, shoes size 11.5 or 12
Donated items can be dropped off at 211 east 7th st. in Benton at the Office for Protection and Permanency. Call 219-669-4580 for more information.