Falling Asleep During Movie Saves Texas Family

The family awoke across the street to find their home was on fire.

Source The Eagle, Bryan, Texas

Sept. 27, 2012

4 min read

Sept. 27--Tranika Montgomery and her three children rented The Three Stooges and Dolphin Tale Monday night, popped some popcorn and headed across the street for a movie night at an aunt's house.

Thirteen-year-old Kierra, 8-year-old Kiasha and 5-year-old Gerren had fallen asleep there, and Montgomery said she didn't want to wake them up or haul them home, so the family slept over for the night.

Sometime around 1 a.m. Tuesday morning, Montgomery was jarred awake by a furious knock on the door of her aunt's home.

At the door stood Montgomery's mother and another aunt who lived next door to Montgomery.

Montgomery peered out the door, and her jaw dropped, she said.

"Next thing I know my house is on fire. All we know is it's in flames, and I'm just watching everything."

Montgomery, 28, said barking dogs had awoken her aunt who lived next door. When she went out to quiet them down, she saw Montgomery's home shrouded in orange.

"She said once she opened up the door and seen it all she took off running down to my mom's house," Montgomery said.

Her aunt and mother panicked because they assumed Montgomery and the three children were inside the home. They were relieved to find them safe at the home across the street, Montgomery said.

Firefighters responded to the fire at Mark Street near Old Jones Road in College Station at approximately 1:30 a.m. The fire burned so quickly and intensely that nothing was salvageable.

Chief Joe Ondrasek with Brazos County Volunteer Fire Department Precinct 4 said by the time firefighters arrived, the house had collapsed and a car was burned.

"I'm a little hurt, but at the same time, I'm thankful," Montgomery said. "Thank God we stayed over here. If I decided I was going to pack my children, I don't know if I would still be here today, because I would not walk out of there without my babies. I would have no reason to live if they were gone."

All that remains of Montgomery's home are ashes and three concrete steps that once led up to her front door.

Montgomery's car, parked under a nearby carport adjacent to the house, was also burned.

"Everything I lost meant something to me because I had nice things -- from the kids' rooms to my room to the living room," Montgomery said. "At the end of the day, I look at it as it can all be replaced. I couldn't care less about anything else [but my children]. I'm so thankful and grateful that we weren't there. I just keep thinking, 'What if, what if?'"

Montgomery said that her family will stay with her sister, aunt, or mother until they find suitable long-term living arrangements

The house was not insured, and Montgomery said she has not yet considered rebuilding.

"I'm taking it one day at a time as far as getting my children what they need," Montgomery said. "I just thank God for everything."

The American Red Cross has offered assistance to the family, said Bob Bridge, public affairs officer for the organization.

"We were able to provide food, clothing, shoes and referral assistance for bedding," Bridge said.

Cheryl Butler, a friend of Montgomery's and the executive director of Genesis House in Bryan, which works to provide a safe environment for abused and neglected children, said she is trying to get the word out that Montgomery and her children need help.

Though Genesis House cannot provide direct assistance to the family, Butler said she hopes the community will reach out to them.

"They lost everything," Butler said. "Anything anyone can give will help."

Montgomery said her oldest daughter came to her Wednesday morning and asked, "Mom are you mad? I know all of our stuff is gone."

Montgomery said she looked her daughter in the eyes and told her how grateful she is for her and her siblings.

"They understand that their life is precious," Montgomery said.

The family is asking for donations from the community, which can be delivered to 8741 Mark St. in College Station.

"Whatever you need as the average person to get through is what we need all over again," Montgomery said. "Thank you to anyone who is willing to help."

Montgomery wears size 18 pants, extra-large shirts and size 10 shoes; Kierra wears size 13 pants, medium-to-large shirts and size 10 shoes; Kiasha wears size 10 pants, medium shirts and size 4 shoes; Gerren wears size 6 pants, 6-7 shirts and size 1 shoes.