RV Fire

Late Monday afternoon, January 31, 2011, as Jesse and Debbie were driving south on I-75 headed toward the Florida Keys, their RV caught fire. They managed to pull over quickly and get out of the bus before the cabin was completely engulfed in flames, and they quickly salvaged much of their sound equipment. The RV is a total loss.

If you would like to help The Garretts during this time you can send a donation payable to Jesse Garrett to The Garretts home address 747 Syer Line, Fraserville, Ontario K0L 1V0. You may call them at 1-705-760-5827.

Back End of RV Bedroom - Debbie's side Bedroom -- Jesse's side

The RV's engine

The best phone number to reach the Garretts during this time is 1-705-760-5827

What Happened: Jesse noticed that all the instrument panel lights went out, and quickly decided to exit. The RV started driving crazy, and he had no brakes. The light at the end of the exit ramp was red, with a semi-truck waiting. Debbie prayed that the light would change. It did, the semi cleared away, and they rounded a corner into a parking lot.

People were waving at them frantically to get off the bus. They did, and when they opened the bus door, flames flew from the back of the bus, where their bedroom was, along the ceiling and the cabinets. The back of Jesse's hair was lightly singed as he was escaping. Homeless people who had been waving at them immediately began helping unload the sound equipment that was stored beneath the bus.

From the excitement, Jesse's heart went into cardiac arrhythmia, and the paramedics wanted to take him to the hospital, but he stayed with Debbie and the RV.

They stayed in a motel in the Ocala area, bought plastic storage containers, and spent the next day removing anything that was salvageable. EVERYTHING which they retrieved is covered in soot, and they have a massive cleanup in front of them. Their many boxes of CDs are burned, computer, business records. They were fortunate that Debbie's Bible was only slightly damaged, and their medicines were spared. Sadly, Jesse's Bible was destroyed.

Tuesday, Feb. 1 With the help of Bryan Norman from St. Augustine, they sifted through the rubble and loaded into a rented U-Haul trailer.

Wednesday, Feb. 2 Drove the U-Haul to St. Augustine, and unloaded the salvaged items into a friend's garage, began to sort and clean. Began to wash some clothes.

Thursday, Feb. 3
Took some clothes they tried to salvage to a laundry and cleaners, to see if they could perhaps get the smoke smell out of the clothes. Made arrangements to have the car scrubbed thoroughly (It has heavy smoke damage.) On the phone with insurance agents most of the day.

Friday, Feb. 4 The PT Cruiser was cleaned of the smoke damage. Very few of the clothes taken to the laundromat were salvaged! They purchased a 5x8 trailer to pull behind the PT cruiser, and a team of folks wiped down all the salvaged CDs to remove the smoke damage. The data on Debbie's computer, as well as her external hard drive was saved, and then loaded onto a new computer!

Saturday, Feb. 5 Hit the road for the Florida Keys, and continuing on the tour! From the drive, they realized that the PT Cruiser isn't powerful enough to pull the trailer, especially once it's loaded with belongings that they have left stored at friends' houses.

Thursday, Feb. 18 Deb & Jesse went to the Hospital in Sebring, FL because they were experiencing health problems related to the fire. They were both given chest xrays and thoroughly examined by a Doctor. Debbie's lungs showed signs of smoke inhalation and she has signs of depression related to post traumatic shock. She is now being treated for the above.
Jesse is in more serious condition because he already has one bad lung from his previous injuries (stabbing years ago). His chest is full of fluid, he is coughing up black fluid with some blood, and he has been having nosebleeds. He has been diagnosed with pleurisy and is being treated for depression also. He was treated aggressively in the ER. The partial bill was $3000.00 more to be billed and the perscriptions will cost ??? Keep us in your prayers!!


Back End of RV	Bedroom - Debbie's side	Bedroom -- Jesse's side


	The RV's engine

Tuesday, Feb. 1	With the help of Bryan Norman from St. Augustine, they sifted through the rubble and loaded into a rented U-Haul trailer.
Wednesday, Feb. 2	Drove the U-Haul to St. Augustine, and unloaded the salvaged items into a friend's garage, began to sort and clean. Began to wash some clothes.
Thursday, Feb. 3	Took some clothes they tried to salvage to a laundry and cleaners, to see if they could perhaps get the smoke smell out of the clothes. Made arrangements to have the car scrubbed thoroughly (It has heavy smoke damage.) On the phone with insurance agents most of the day.
Friday, Feb. 4	The PT Cruiser was cleaned of the smoke damage. Very few of the clothes taken to the laundromat were salvaged! They purchased a 5x8 trailer to pull behind the PT cruiser, and a team of folks wiped down all the salvaged CDs to remove the smoke damage. The data on Debbie's computer, as well as her external hard drive was saved, and then loaded onto a new computer!
Saturday, Feb. 5	Hit the road for the Florida Keys, and continuing on the tour! From the drive, they realized that the PT Cruiser isn't powerful enough to pull the trailer, especially once it's loaded with belongings that they have left stored at friends' houses.
Thursday, Feb. 18	Deb & Jesse went to the Hospital in Sebring, FL because they were experiencing health problems related to the fire. They were both given chest xrays and thoroughly examined by a Doctor. Debbie's lungs showed signs of smoke inhalation and she has signs of depression related to post traumatic shock. She is now being treated for the above. Jesse is in more serious condition because he already has one bad lung from his previous injuries (stabbing years ago). His chest is full of fluid, he is coughing up black fluid with some blood, and he has been having nosebleeds. He has been diagnosed with pleurisy and is being treated for depression also. He was treated aggressively in the ER. The partial bill was $3000.00 more to be billed and the perscriptions will cost ??? Keep us in your prayers!!