By JOEL PHELPS | The Arkadelphian
CADDO VALLEY — A family lost everything they had this weekend in a camper fire.
Kyle and Adrianna Steele and their two children were not present when the blaze consumed their camper, parked at the Caddo Valley RV Park, on Saturday, Sept. 10. Two dogs inside the camper died in the fire.
As part of an Entergy crew tasked with relocating utilities for Arkadelphia’s Pine Street widening, Kyle has lived in Caddo Valley since June. Last month he visited his home in central Florida where he rented a house, returning to Arkansas with his family and all of their belongings in tow.
“They brought everything back in their camper so he could work here, because he knew he would be here for some time,” said Melissa Allen, co-owner of the RV park.
Allen was among the first on scene and, a past volunteer firefighter, tried dousing the flames herself with a fire extinguisher. She also phoned Kyle — who had just left minutes prior and was in Bismarck — and instructed him to turn around. Once they arrived at the scene, Allen said, she asked about the dogs. “He just shook his head,” she said. One thing that miraculously survived the fire was a wooden urn containing the ashes of the Steele’s infant daughter. The urn was unscathed. “God had his hands on them that day,” she said.
Since the fire, many locals have pitched in to help piece their lives back together. “People have rallied around this family,” Allen said, noting her office has since been filled with donations for the family. “This community really steps up to the plate to help people in their time of need. I’m amazed at the generosity of these campers and of the people in Caddo Valley.”
In the 15 minutes a reporter spent visiting the KOA office on Monday afternoon, a tenant dropped in to give cash to the Steele family.
Donations may be still made to aid the family in their time of loss.
In addition to monetary donations, clothing, school supplies and sundries are essential needs for the family. The 10-month-old boy wears size 12T clothing and size 3 diapers. The 7-year-old girl wears size 7-8 in clothing and size 8 shoes. Still a pupil of her hometown, she studies remotely and is in need of school supplies. Mom wears size medium shirts, size 4-6 pants and 9 1/2 in shoes. Dad wears size medium shirts, size 34×38 jeans and 8 1/2 in shoes.
Donations can be delivered to the Caddo Valley RV Park, located at 221 Frost Road.