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Family of 10 Is Homeless After Early Morning Fire

The rural Ava home of Matt and Christie Akers was destroyed in an early morning fire Wednesday. The family of four adults and six children were left with nothing, but everyone escaped the house safely. Ava Rural Fire Chief Delbert Murray, at right above, looks over the scene with another firefighter.

A devastating fire early Wednesday morning destroyed the rural Ava home of Matt and Christie Akers, leaving 10 family members with virtually nothing. Thankfully, everyone escaped the house unhurt, according to Delbert Murray, chief of the Ava Rural Fire Department.

The fire department was notified about 4:30 a.m. after a passerby saw the house on fire and called it in. All family members were outside the house safely at that time, according to Sgt. Vernon Johnson of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department.

Ava Rural Fire Dept. was dispatched to the fire, then requested Squires Fire Dept. in mutual aid response. The house was a total loss.

The Akers family rented the residence, Murray said. The owner lives in Wyoming.

The family includes six children, plus two other adults living in the household besides the parents.

Efforts were under way Wednesday to obtain clothing for the family. Red Cross was also contacted to assist the family.

The large, two-story, frame home was located about three miles south of Ava on Highway 5, near the intersection of Route A.

A list of clothing needs provided to the Herald includes: girls junior size 14/15 jeans, large or XL shirts and size 10 shoes; boys 8/10 tops and bottoms and size 3 shoes; girls size 8/10 clothes and size 3 shoes; boys size 7/8 clothes and size 2 shoes; boys 6/7 clothes and size 1 shoes.