Helping Hands, Heavy Loss
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Lori Gorospe embraces Vincent Robertson and his family amid the ruins of their home after a Saturday afternoon fire destroyed the residence.
COFFEEVILLE — For nearly six weeks after Winter Storm Fern struck on Jan. 24, the Robertson family showed up wherever help was needed. Saturday, while still working storm cleanup, they lost everything they owned in a house fire.
Six members of the Robertson family lost their home and all of their belongings in the blaze Saturday afternoon on County Road 229 south of Gums Crossing. Vincent and Donna Robertson, along with Jaidyn, Jack, Kevin and Braxton Robertson, were displaced when the fire consumed the residence before firefighters could bring it under control.
Yalobusha County EMA Director Stewart Spence said the fire was reported shortly after lunch.
“By the time she got home, it was fully involved,” Spence said of Donna Robertson’s arrival. “Before the fire department could get there, the house was fully involved.”
Spence said the fire may have started at an outbuilding and spread through nearby woods before igniting the home.
“There wasn’t anything we could do,” he said. “It had to have been burning for a while to get from the shed, even to the woods, and to the house.”
Clear Springs and Skuna Valley fire departments responded, along with volunteers from Velma, Pine Valley, O’Tuckolofa and other departments.
Braxton Robertson surveys the debris remaining from Saturday’s fire that destroyed his family’s home on County Road 229.
At the time flames were overtaking the house, Vincent Robertson was in Water Valley helping disaster volunteer Lori Gorospe — known locally as “Chick With A Chainsaw” — remove a dangerous tree threatening another family’s home.
“As soon as the tree dropped to the ground, he got a phone call from his son that said, ‘Get home right now, the shed’s on fire,’” Gorospe said. “He said, ‘My home’s probably gonna be gone by the time I get back.’ Within about 30 minutes, he sent me pictures of his house on fire.”
The loss was total. Clothing, furniture, appliances and household belongings were destroyed. Multiple vehicles were damaged, including a car that sustained significant burn damage. Freezers filled with venison harvested during hunting season were lost, along with a four-wheeler.
Gorospe said what has stood out most is that the Robertsons have not stepped away from serving others.
“Even after losing everything, they’re still out here,” she said. “Braxton was helping me cut trees again. That tells you who they are.”
For weeks before the fire, the family had been among the most consistent volunteers in the county’s storm response. Kevin and Braxton worked alongside chainsaw crews clearing fallen trees. Vincent provided equipment and manpower. Donna served at the Emergency Operations Center, helping distribute food and supplies.
“That family has been serving this community from day one,” Gorospe said. “They’ve been a big help.”
Within hours of the fire, support began building.
Gorospe launched a GoFundMe titled “Support the Robertson Family After House Fire,” with a goal of $7,500 to assist with rebuilding and replacement costs.
Trey Christmas of Columbus, Miss. who has been working in the county, said he plans to leave his camper with the family to provide temporary housing as they work toward stability.
“He’s one of the good ones,” Christmas said about Vincent. “He helped everybody he could. Now it’s our turn.”
Spence agreed.
“They have been a tremendous help,” he said. “This whole family has been volunteering to help since the first day the ice storm struck. Big help — what they have done.”
Residents wishing to contribute can search for “Support the Robertson Family After House Fire” on GoFundMe or connect through Lori Gorospe’s Chick With A Chainsaw Facebook page for donation information.
