By By KATHIE HEMPEL / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Saturday, May 18, Christian Peterson got off work at 3 a.m. and went to his Carberry Road home to sleep. He was due back in at work for a seven to 11 shift that evening.
His wife Pearl took the children out so they would not awaken him.
When he did wake up, the room was filled with smoke and he could not see a thing. He quickly got dressed, ran out onto the balcony and climbed down the 10 to 12 feet to the ground.
"He saw flames through the window, let the dog out of the garage and tried to grab the hose, but saw it was too far gone. He ran to the neighbors across the street and called the fire department," Mrs. Peterson said.
Tuesday, the State Fire Marshall, investigators for the insurance company and local fire inspectors were at the scene. No cause for the fire had yet been found according to Mrs. Peterson.
"They say that sometimes they never know for sure. In the meantime, we are living in hotels. We are overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers and family who have come to bring us things and offer their help," she said.
The couple and their children, Chelsey, 9, and Christian Jr., 18 months, were left with no home, no clothes and no belongings. Help has come from the most unexpected places.
"We went for a doctor's appointment and our doctor, who had a baby a couple of months before I had Christian, gave me a whole lot of baby clothes for him. He had an accident in the outfit he had just before I took him to the doctor, so he was in only his diaper. She just came out with all these clothes," Mrs. Peterson said.
Another boost came when Cindy Coleman of Niles, Chelsey's Brownie leader, stepped forward to solicit donations. This Saturday she will open her home at 2532 Lakeshore Drive to receive any and all items needed.
Those having any donations of goods, food, diapers and all other household items can call 683-1035 for more information.