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Families Displaced by House Fires, Lack of Insurance Creates New Problems
Families Displaced by House Fires, Lack of Insurance Creates New Problems 1/8/13
Ashley Melnick
amelnick@cbs7.com
CBS 7 News
January 8, 2013
ODESSA- You never think it will happen to you, but as Shelia Perez learned, a disaster can happen at any time.
“I heard crackling,” said Perez. “And immediately I ran outside to check the breaker.”
And in a matter of minutes, she said the family of seven’s home was up in flames.
“There’s a lot of sentimental value and stuff that can’t be replaced,” said Perez.
The Perez family is just one of many families recently displaced by house fires.
So the American Red Cross Immediate Emergency Response Team came to the home to access damage and help the family with its immediate needs.
In the last five days, Stephanie Murphree said the Red Cross responded to four house fires, including the Perez family.
“What we’re seeing is a trend of folks who do not carry insurance,” said Murphree.
Unfortunately, the Perez family is one of many families that did not have home insurance because of cost.
“The perception for most is insurance is expensive because it’s associated with things like medical insurance,” said Murphree. “And the thing is it’s so cost-effective because it covers so much, and you don’t know how much you have until it’s gone.”
It’s a tough lesson, many families across the Basin recently learned.