LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / January 28, 2000

LAPLACE – Terry Rising stood across the street Thursday morning and brushed back tears, watching his house burn, all of his possessions being destroyed.

Rising, 40, lived at 2416 Williamsburg with his wife, Andrea, daughters Tremika and Darnisha, and 3-year-old grandson, Cory.

“I lost everything,” Rising said. “Insurance can’t replace the house or my twocars. We lost stuff that can never be replaced. My wife had a lot ofsentimental stuff.”Rising and his grandson were in the carport as he waited for the baby’s blanket to finish in the clothes dryer. Suddenly, he looked over and saw thelaundry room ablaze.

He snatched up the baby and ran across the street, then began beating on the neighbor’s doors, seeking help.

“Nobody would come to the door and give me help, and they were there!” he gasped, still amazed.

The family, who had moved to their house five years ago from Kenner, were scattered as the fire ate through the roof of the house and destroyed two cars in the driveway.

Meanwhile, help was on the way.

Deputy Byron Bernard saw the smoke and called in the alarm at 9:49 a.m. tothe LaPlace Volunteer Fire Department. When he arrived at the scene he sawRising, a neighbor, Jeff Cushenberry, and area resident Russ Wise attempting to break into the house next door at 2412 Williamsburg to rouse the occupants known by neighbors to be inside the threatened house. Flameswere already licking the eaves.

With the arrival of Cpl. Craig Gommel, the deputies burst into the house andrescued Amanda Freeland and her three children, who were asleep in the house.

The first response came from LaPlace VFD at 9:56 a.m. with 10 firefighters.Seven more firefighters and equipment arrived from Reserve VFD, including a ladder truck to enable the shooting of a water cannon onto the roof of the house.

The fire was brought under control within 20 minutes, but not soon enough for Rising’s satisfaction.

“They should’ve had that fire out a long time ago!” he said.

Meanwhile, he could only imagine his wife’s reaction.

“She’s going to be devastated,” he said.

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