KNOTT CO., Ky. (WYMT) – A man who lost his home in a fire is expressing gratitude to his community for its support during a challenging time.
Dennis Jacobs said he heard a loud explosion Monday afternoon while inside his home.
“I heard a real loud explosion, you know, scared me to death. I didn’t know what it was,” Jacobs said.
Jacobs explained that he went outside and saw his storage building fully engulfed in flames.
“I jumped up and ran outside and my storage building was completely engulfed and it had set my side to side and stuff on fire that was sitting out there and then that had flames going up beside my house,” he said.
Jacobs said he and his son quickly grabbed their car keys to move vehicles away from the house. He added that he took only one more item before leaving.
“Out of everything in the house, I grabbed my Bible and ran out the door with it. I got it and my clothes on my back was about what I got,” Jacobs said.
Jacobs shared that people have offered prayers and support since the fire.
“I just want to say a thank you to all of them. I mean it’s, it really makes you realize the benefits of Eastern Kentucky. You know, people we pulled together during the flood and stuff. And then this has happened and I mean people has come from left and right,” he said.
Jacobs expressed appreciation for the three volunteer fire departments that responded, noting that all of them are volunteer-based.
“These men work at different places. And they have to leave their job and run and get into a piece of equipment. And rush to someone’s home. And I mean these boys absolutely work their guts out. They done a phenomenal job,” Jacobs said.
Jacobs said he is working with insurance companies and hopes to rebuild. He also emphasized the need for increased funding for volunteer fire departments and a centrally located paid fire department.
“I would like to see more funding go to the volunteers. And I would like to see a central, located, paid fire departments. I think we need that so bad. We live in the mountains. It’s not like it is in the city. They can go down a few blocks, and every street corner is a fire department. It’s not like that here, but we can make it better,” he said.
Jacobs said he believes this situation is part of the Lord’s plan.
“I’m not bitter. I thank God for everything that He’s been able to bless me with. Maybe this happened for me to try to bring out the importance of the central, located department,” he said.
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