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Fire that destroyed home likely electrical

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  • LESLIE WILBER - VICTORIA ADVOCATE
  • Originally published July 29, 2008 at 12:06 a.m., updated July 29, 2008 at 12:06 a.m.

Wiring or an electrical appliance likely caused a fire that destroyed a family’s home Friday.

“It’s really hard to determine exactly what caused an electrical fire,” said Kelly Phelps, an investigator with the Victoria Fire Department. “I can rule out all types of other fires.”

Only a skeleton of the building remains where Shannon Skipper, his three children, his girlfriend Dorinda Boysen and her son lived.

Fourteen-year-old Emily Skipper visited the house with her mother Sunday. The girl looked into what was once her bedroom, where she found ashes and charred pages from her Bible, said Lisa Brimberry, 45, Emily’s mother.

Brimberry cried when she saw remains of her son Gage’s books.

The 13-year-old boy is autistic and he attends school out of town. Shannon Skipper was on his way to pick up Gage for the weekend when the house burned, Brimberry said.

Gage has not seen the home since the fire.

“With autistic children you never know how it will affect them,” Brimberry said. “It will be upsetting, I think, for him.”

Gage had his own room, with all his things ordered to his liking, she said. He has a similar room at Brimberry’s house, where Emily is staying.

Sarah Skipper, 20, attends Baylor, so she wasn’t home during the fire. But she’s been awed by the support neighbors offered her family.

The family didn’t want to ask for help, but the community outpouring prompted them to opened a bank account to help replace the children’s things, she said.

People can drop off clothes and other goods to help the family at the Museum of the Coastal Bend, where Brimberry works.

“I just want to express our gratitude to the Victoria community,” Sarah said. “We are very blessed. Thank you.”

The fire department and the Skipper’s insurance company will continue to investigate the fire, Phelps said.

Leslie Wilber is a reporter for the Victoria Advocate. Contact her at 361-580-6521 or e-mail her at lwilber@vicad.com, or comment on this story at www.VictoriaAdvocate.com.

  • How to help

    Donations to the benefit fund for the Skipper children and Ethan Johnson can be made at Wells Fargo banks.

    Clothes and other items can be dropped off at the Museum of the Coastal Bend, 2200 E. Red ...

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    • How to help

    Donations to the benefit fund for the Skipper children and Ethan Johnson can be made at Wells Fargo banks.

    Clothes and other items can be dropped off at the Museum of the Coastal Bend, 2200 E. Red River St., care of Lisa Brimberry



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Comments

  • skkitchens skkitchens Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    I could'nt believe that this house burned! My grandparents, LaVerne and Charlie Dobbs lived in this house back in the '90s while i was growing up and the Skipper's bought the house from them. Their oldest daughter Sarah and I used to play in the backyard together when i would come to visit. I have so many wonderful memories in that house and am so sad to see it go. I wish the family the best in recovering and my prayers are with them.
    Sincerely,
    Stephanie Kitchens

    July 30, 2008 at 7:59 p.m.
  • Xcelr8r Xcelr8r Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    Where was the fire located? Part of who, what, when, where, and why>>>>>>>>>

    July 29, 2008 at 8:48 a.m.