Pregnant mother and baby escape fire

By Ethan Nahté

A fire broke out during the near-freezing darkness on Hay Hurst Lane early Thursday, consuming the house and most of a young couple’s earthly possessions between 2-2:30 a.m. Although the temperature had made it to the mid-70s the previous afternoon, it was close to 32º F when Christine Elliott awoke and noticed something was wrong.

Looking out the window from the second story, the young mother of an 11-month-old daughter named Michelle, stated in a post on her Facebook page, “It is only by the grace of God that I woke up to a bright light just outside the window between my bed and Michelle’s crib. I looked out the window and realized the whole front of the house was on fire, so I grabbed Michelle out of bed.”

The fire apparently started on the front porch, directly outside the second-floor bedroom. When the mother and daughter got downstairs, the fire was not inside the house. But, due to the front porch being engulfed in roaring flames, they were forced to exit through the back door. The house had no steps, requiring the pregnant mother to safely navigate a three-to-four-foot drop. Christine, who is eight-months pregnant, escaped barefooted into the cold, wearing just her pajamas, with her child and cellphone in hand to call for help. Her husband of two-and-a-half years, Andrew Elliott, was at work at Sterling Machinery.

Christine posted, “[I] got us out of the house. We got up the hill to my in-law’s house safely and were completely unharmed.”

Her in-laws are John & Roxann Elliott, owners of Hwy. 71 Flooring in Mena.

According to Christine’s mother, Yvonne Rogers, “They have lived there forever, and they go to Abundant Life where Jack Smith is pastor,” referring to John and Roxann.

Rogers was a park interpreter at Queen Wilhelmina State Park. She used to bring many educational programs to the community. Christine is her oldest child.

Rogers said, “She called me at 2:35 a.m. after she made it to her in-laws house.”

Christine told her mother, “Yeah, the whole house and everything is gone…burnt to the ground. The fire department is working on putting it out, so it doesn’t spread to the woods.

“I know it was God, because I had just randomly woken up and saw it out the window. That’s the only reason we were able to get out when we did.”

Rogers posted on her Facebook page, “Today could’ve been so different…I am so thankful for every single one of you that have contacted and helped, even those dealing with their own loss have reached out. You know who you are, and God knows who you are.”

The residence is located a considerable distance from town, a few miles past the Rich Mountain Country Store located at the intersection of US Hwy. 270 and 272, and a short distance from the state line.

Rogers said, “Kristopher Lyle said the house was already engulfed in flames by the time the fire department had arrived.” Lyle is the Polk County emergency management coordinator.

Most people surely remember what it was like when first venturing out on their own or as a couple, and how lean times could be getting a start as an adult, especially if you had a young child and another on the way.

Rogers said, “I just know they need all the support they can get to refurnish a new home once the appraisal and contract is all done. They couldn’t afford insurance, so didn’t have any on home or content.”

Items that many people either don’t think anything about or take for granted are needed, ranging from washrags and towels to plates, bowls and cutlery. Kitchen appliances (large and small), cleaning supplies, sheets, furniture, and toys for 12+ for Michelle.

As for baby items Michelle is tiny, wearing size 6-9 months and size 3 diapers. She drinks Nutramigen formula and is eating baby food.

Christine’s shoe size is 9.5-10. The mother-to-be wears medium to large shirts and stretchy pants.

Andrew wears medium shirts and size 29-32 pants. His shoe size is 10.

There is a benefit account at Union Bank. The account number is 1201948 and the routing number is 082900982. Donations can also be made to Christine’s cash app: $CElliott629

The family states, “Please note all donations as ‘Gift’ so as it’s not considered income by the IRS.”

Though material items are needed, family and friends have been expressing how happy they are that the young family is safe and suffered no physical harm from the fire.

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