By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
On Sunday, February 22nd, the Sugarlands home of Tucker County Commissioner Tim Knotts was the victim of a flue/chimney fire. During the blaze, Knotts was able to escape with minor injuries, according to a Facebook post by his daughter, Lindsey Knotts.
The home was inherited and held generations of items and memories inside. The blaze leveled it to the ground, taking everything with it, according to Knott’s first cousin Tucker County Commission President Mike Rosenau.
Tim Knotts said that he is thankful for everyone’s thoughts and prayers at this time and is overwhelmed by the community’s support and generousity.
“People have been pretty good bringing me clothes and stuff,” Tim Knotts said. “And I will be sending out thank yous to everyone.”
An account for donations has been established at Miners & Merchants Bank called the Tim Knotts Special Fund. Monetary donations can be dropped off at one of their locations or checks may be mailed directly to the bank for the account, according to Lindsey Knotts.
Lindsey Knotts also posted that her father was in need of the following items:
-
Walmart Brand Pants Size 38X32
*Other Brands 40X32
*X-Large Shirts
*X-Large Button Up Shirts
*Size 11 Wide Shoes
*Long White Socks
*Hankies
*Ball Caps With Vent Backing
*Basic Men’s Necessities or Any Other Household Necessities, Farm Supplies, Gillette Razors, Shaving Gel, Deodorant.
Donated items can be brought to the County Commissioner’s Office on the 3rd Floor of the Tucker County Courthouse Annex.
Commissioner Knotts’ house fire was just one of several devastating home losses to fire this winter in Tucker County. This winter alone, Tucker County has seen six stucture fires. Parsons has seen the most with a total of four. The remaining two fires were within the Thomas Fire Department response area, according to Director of Tucker County Emergency Management Kevin White.
The increase in fires during the winter White attributes to heating sources and holiday decorations and cooking. The number one source of winter structure fires, according to White are heating sources such as space heaters, fire places and wood or coal stoves, followed by holiday decorations and cooking second.
“There’s a lot more activity,” White said of electrical circuits in winter. “You’re putting more load on your electricity.”
