Uninsured GBC resident needs help after fire

Jan. 25--We always think it could never happen to us. But we are wrong. It can, and it does happen to anyone.

Frank Laarits, 55, of Gun Barrel City, lost everything he owns in a house fire last week.

Laarits' home, located on Doe Run in the Loonbay subdivision, went up in flames last Thursday. He escaped with no injuries, but lost everything he owned.

"My parents built the house in 1966," said Angie Land, Laarits' sister. "My brother has lived there for a while with his son. There is no insurance. I have tried to call the Red Cross."

Land said her brother was in the process of remodeling the home when the fire broke out.

The cause of the fire is yet unknown, and the fire department is calling it an accident. The house was fully engulfed when the fire departments arrived. Gun Barrel City, Mabank and Payne Springs responded to the structure fire.

The four dogs that lived in the residence were saved by Gun Barrel City Code Enforcement Officer Jacqui Callaway and GBC Police Officer Justin Keahey.

"They got there first, and were able to rescue the dogs," said Joey Lindamann, GBC fire chief.

If you would like to help out Laarits, an account has been set up at Woodforest Bank in the GBC Walmart Store under the name of Frank Laarits. The bank account is to help Laarits relocate to another residence, and replace some of the things he lost in the fire.

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