A woman and her five children escaped from a fire that burned their mobile home to the ground after her 5-year-old daughter awoke to the sound of the smoke alarm.
Shana McIntosh Eaglefeathers and her five children
were sleeping when the fire broke out in their home on Weber Road in Bovina Thursday night, according to Karyl Eaglefeathers, Shana's mother.
When Shana's daughter, Julian, heard the smoke detector, she woke her 14-year-old brother, Sol Eagle Road, who rushed Julian and Cedar Eagle Road, 9, out of the burning structure and then went back in to get 4-year-old Sage Eagle Road.
Eaglefeathers and 10-year-old Eli Eagle Road suffered burns and smoke inhalation getting out of the home.
The Bovina and Delhi emergency squads took all five children and their mother to O'Connor Hospital in Delhi. Eaglefeathers was the last to be released from the hospital. She came home Sunday, Karyl Eaglefeathers said.
Sage was transferred to the Syracuse University Medical Center Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, where he was treated and released, according to Ira McIntosh, Shana's brother and the children's uncle.
Karly Eaglefeathers said the Bovina and Andes fire departments worked to try to contain the fire, but Shana's truck, home and all contents were destroyed.
Eaglefeathers is a high school science teacher at Margaretville Central School. The children attend Delaware Academy in Delhi. Sage attends Delhi Head Start. The family is homeless and has no insurance. They are staying with friends and relatives.
Laurie McIntosh, Ira's wife, said a "Fund for Shana's Children" has been established at the National Bank of Delhi, P.O. Box 508, Delhi, NY 13753 and other donations have been coming in as well.
"The phone has been ringing nonstop," Laurie McIntosh said Monday.
"This section of Delaware County is wealthy indeed in terms of the collective sense of responsibility for their community members," Karyl Eaglefeathers said. "The outpouring of help and support is both heartwarming and badly needed for this family who lost all material things. Thanks to the quick wit and courage of the family and the emergency services, they have what's most important "" each other.
"Every hug, smile and call from friends and family has helped them. Currently the family is assessing their material needs and will develop a list this week, along with a contact name and number, for the well-wishers who are asking how they can help."
On Saturday, there will be a benefit at Sol Bar and Quarter Moon Café. Sol Bar owner Jonah Shaw said numerous local musicians and friends have volunteered to put on the event.
Ira McIntosh said five bands including DOA (Disciples of Agriculture), Future Farmers of America, Pisspour', The Mojo Switch, and Altered Walter and the Time Beings, featuring Paul "Whitey" Ryan, have agreed to perform.
Laurie McIntosh said a larger music event featuring Blues Maneuver will take place at the American Legion in Delhi later in October, but the date has not yet been confirmed.
A Bovina donation-raising effort is also taking place from 1 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Bovina Fire station, Pastor Judi Gage said.
Laurie McIntosh said a tremendous amount of clothing has been donated, but the family still needs other household items. She added that the three oldest children all had musical instruments, including cellos and violins, which were lost in the fire, so if someone has an instrument gathering dust in a forgotten corner of their home, it would be much appreciated by the family.
Patricia Breakey can be reached at 746-2894 or at stardelhi@stny.rr.com.
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