By By Adam Prestridge
An elderly Nokomis couple is counting their blessing after escaping from their burning mobile home early Tuesday morning.
Homer Brown was awoken just before 6 a.m. by smoke coming from a burning bed at his Timber Lane home just off James Road.
Homer said he quickly woke up his 76-year-old wife, Fannie, and threw as many of their clothes in the front yard before escaping.
Although the cause of the fire is unknown, it is believed that it could have been ignited by one of many kerosene heaters burning in the home. Family members at the scene of the fire confirmed that there were kerosene heaters in the home, but were unable to confirm if they were in use.
The couple’s daughter, Shirley Brown, was the first notified of the fire by her parents.
Hoover was notified of the fire later that morning.
Fannie’s nephew was also in the mobile home at the time of the fire. Homer said everyone getting out safely was a godsend.
Shirley’s feelings mirrored her father’s sentiments.
Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department, Atmore Fire &Rescue Department and Poarch Volunteer Fire Department all responded to the scene. Firefighters had trouble extinguishing the fire working with a limited supply of water.
According to fire personnel on the scene, the fire rekindled twice while water was being transferred to the scene.
Fortunately for the Browns, their daughter lives next door and other family members live nearby, so they will have a place to live.
The fire remains under investigation.