Blaze claims Edney home

A Kilgore family lost just about everything in a fire that destroyed their home on FM 2204 Sunday morning.

The fire began in an unelectrified storage shed and, by the time fire fighters arrived, had spread to their house nearby.

J.D. and Chancelee Edney and their two sons were not injured, but their 15-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever wasn't so lucky. "Dakota," who was deaf and sleeping inside the home, did not hear the commotion and get out in time.

Edney said the fire apparently began in a shed behind their home and spread to the house. Though there was no electricity in the shed, he said a fourwheeler and yard equipment, along with gasoline stored in cans, fueled the blaze one they caught fire.

Chancelee Edney was awakened by their other Labrador, "Cowboy," who was barking outside. When she walked outside she saw the shed ablaze. She awakened her husband, who called 911 immediately and attempted to put out the fire with a garden hose as they evacuated their children from the house. Edney's father and mother, John and Lois, live behind them and helped at the scene, as well.

The most difficult part of the tragic event is that the Edneys believe it took fire personnel about 45 minutes to get to the scene — and they only live about five or six miles from Kilgore. FM 2204 is also known as Stone Road until it passes out of the city limits. The Edneys say they live just past Greenwood Ranch.

Edney said when he first called 911, the fire was contained to the shed. He was concerned, he said, "because it was kind of like they (dispatchers) didn't know whether to dispatch us to Elderville or Kilgore."

He said his mother and his wife also called 911 when fire trucks failed to arrive and four or five times their calls were disconnected, "dropped" or "hung up on."

Gregg County Sheriff Maxey Cerliano said he will investigate the matter but additional information about the chronology of 911 calls was not available at the News Herald's press time.

The frame home was apparently fully engulfed when firefighters arrived and Edney said his home was a total loss.

Edney said they had lived there for about three years and have insurance — however they lost everything, including their Christmas presents and all of their clothing. Luckily the horses his wife trains to barrel race were also not injured.

Since the fire they have been staying with Edney's parents.

Anyone who wishes to help the family may do so by calling Edney's sister, Amanda Lusk, at 903- 987-7749. Donations and cards can be mailed to: J.D. and Chancelee Edney, P.O. Box 903, Kilgore, Texas 75663.

Edney is 30 years old and wears men's extra large clothing; Chancelee Edney, 24, wears women's medium; son Chance is 5 years old and wears size 5T; and son Cason, 18 months, wears size 18 months.

The fire is under investigation by Gregg County Fire Marshal David Kidder.