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New Albany homeowners who escaped burning home: 'Everything's gone'

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By David Williams - bio | email
(Source: Dan McAfee) (Source: Dan McAfee)
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NEW ALBANY, IN (WAVE)- Fire forces a Southern Indiana family from their home. Thankfully the family made it out safely, but their home is a total loss. The fire broke out Saturday afternoon, in New Albany Township, in the 3100 block of Honeysuckle Court. The images were  unmistakable

"My whole life. Memories," Said homeowner, Connie Burgin, as she stood near what was left of her home. "Everything's gone."

Twelve years of family memories in their house destroyed. In their hearts, was a struggle to comprehend it all.

"I don't know that I've got one right now," Connie said. "It's just devastation."

According to Major Tom Campbell, with the New Chapel Fire Department, the fire began Saturday afternoon in the garage, then quickly spread through the attic. Campbell said in the 6 minutes crews took to respond to the scene, crews found fire through the roof. Connie was upstairs and her husband was in the basement.

"The smoke detector started going off. And I thought he was testing them to make sure that they was working. So, I came downstairs to see what was going on," Said Connie.

Connie's husband, David Burgin said "I went to the garage and I felt the heat coming off the garage door. So I opened it up just a little bit. Smoke billowed into the house."

They both left the house as Connie called 911.

"We got out....and just watched," Said David.

They watched as their garage windows burst. Connie said she heard their vehicles explode in the garage. The fire was put out, though some items were salvaged.

"It's very valuable to her," Said David Burgin as he opened a charred tin canister a firefighter handed to him. As he looked inside the tin, through it's contents, he said "Her mother gave to her pictures of the children when they were little."

David credits something in the house with saving their lives.

"The smoke detectors. The smoke detectors alarmed before the fire got into the house...they are life savers." Said David.

Connie said they will rebuild. She said they have insurance and they will be staying in a hotel Saturday night. The Burgin's both thanked their community, firefighters, first responders, friends and family for the outpouring of support.

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