ROYALTON – A Magoffin County couple was injured in a house fire Thursday night, both remaining hospitalized at press time and the family’s relatives trying to raise money for the family of four to rebuild their lives.
At approximately 2 – 3 a.m. on January 17, a fire broke out in the Tate residence on Post Office Rd. in downtown Royalton. The man, Jasper Tate, woke up first and tried to alert the two children and his wife, pulling one of the children out of the living room door. The other child climbed out a bedroom window, and when he noticed his mom, Tammy, wasn’t out of the house, yet, he knocked out a window air conditioner and pulled his mom out the window.
Jasper suffered burns to his neck, shoulders, knees and feet, and Tammy suffered severe smoke inhalation and burns on multiple areas. Both are at Cabell Huntington Hospital, with Tammy still on the ventilator, according to the family. Both of the children had some smoke inhalation, but didn’t require hospitalization.
The Tates’ adult daughter, Bethany Tate, set up a GoFundMe (available by clicking here) to help raise money for the family to rebuild, with their other adult daughter, Jalisa Harder, writing the following, which was included on the GoFundMe page:
Dear friends, family and compassionate souls,
Last night, my family’s life was changed by a devastating house fire. It’s a nightmare I can hardly put into words. Everything they had, every memory, cherished possessions, was taken in an instant.
My mom is one of the most beautiful souls you could ever meet. Shes not just my mom; she is a light in the lives of so many. As the store manager at her local Dollar General, she is the smiling face that greets you, the kind words that brighten your day, the helping hand when you need it most. Now, she is the one who needs help. The most heartbreaking part of it all is seeing my mom lying in a hospital bed, fighting to get better so she may get back to where she belongs as the matriarch of her family, in the burn unit. She inhaled so much smoke while trying to escape the fire that she’s on a ventilator. burns cover her hands, forearms and other areas, injuries she sustained while trying to escape to get to her family. I’ve never felt more helpless than I do now, sitting by her bedside, praying she’ll get better as soon as possible and give me that warm reassuring smile I’ve always counted on.
My step-dad, who has fought so hard to overcome the demons of his past, is now facing the unimaginable: picking up the pieces of their lives. He is a good man who loves my mom and siblings fiercely, and I know he is doing everything he can to hold it together for all of us.
My siblings, both students at Magoffin County High School, are still in shock. They’ve lost not only their home but their sense of safety. As teenagers they shouldn’t have to face something so terrifying. But they are so strong, just like our mom.
The fire took everything, but it didn’t take our love for one another. My family is resilient, not just as their daughter, but as someone who is terrified for what comes next. We need help to rebuild their lives, to give them a roof over their heads again, clothes on their backs, and hope in their hearts.
Every single dollar counts. Every prayer matters. Your support will go toward medical bills, housing, clothing, school supplies, and the countless other things they will need to start over. More than anything it will give my family the strength to keep going, knowing they’re not alone in this fight.
My mom has always taught me that family isn’t who you’re born to; it’s the people who stand by you in your darkest moments, we are asking you to be part of that family now. Let’s remind them that they don’t have to face this alone. Please if you can, help. Donate, share, pray, whatever you’re able to do. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for caring. Thank you for being the light in our lives during this storm.
With love and gratitude, Jalisa Harder
The GoFundMe page can be found at https://gofund.me/72df60e7 or by scanning the QR code on the front page.
