A Madison Heights father is trying to rebuild after a storm-related fire destroyed the garage where he had stored years of family memories, personal belongings and items belonging to his daughters.
Lee Jenkins lives with his daughters and his sister on Groveland Street. While the family home was spared major structural damage, the garage was destroyed, taking with it many of the possessions Jenkins considered irreplaceable.
Among the items lost were his father’s ashes, photographs and drawings made by his daughters, along with tools, books, bikes, a grill and other belongings he had collected over the years.
The garage had also become an important space for Jenkins and his daughters. Their toys, bikes, ride-on toys and an aerial swing were kept there, along with a large television and other items they used while spending time together.
The belongings had been moved into the garage after the house was recently carpeted, adding to the amount of property that was inside when the fire occurred.
Jenkins said he was not at the house when the fire broke out Thursday night. His sister was home, and neighbors alerted her after seeing the flames. She was able to get out safely, and no neighbors were reported injured.
The fire was severe enough that burning embers were found in a nearby yard. Damage to the house itself was comparatively limited, with melted wiring and a hole in the ceiling reported after the blaze.
For Jenkins, however, the loss goes far beyond the value of the items that were destroyed.
Some possessions can be replaced, but the ashes of his father and the drawings and personal keepsakes connected to his daughters cannot be recovered.
Jenkins plans to begin contacting restoration companies after the holiday as the family works to determine what can still be repaired.
A fundraising effort has also been started to help Jenkins and his daughters replace some of the belongings lost in the fire.
The storm damage across the Madison Heights area has left other residents dealing with downed trees, property damage and power-related problems, but for Jenkins, the aftermath is especially personal. He is now facing the difficult task of sorting through what remains while trying to replace the everyday things his family lost.
Despite the destruction, Jenkins said he is grateful that his sister and nearby neighbors made it out safely.
“I thank God I wasn’t here,” Jenkins said, noting that his sister and the neighbors were able to get out safely.
