POWELLSVILLE – A Bertie County family escaped injury in an early morning blaze near here Wednesday, but their dwelling was completely destroyed.

Ashley Leary and her five children, ages 2-thru-6, along with her brother were able to escape from the single-wide mobile home in the 700 block of Sally Freeman Road located just before where it intersects with Cremo Road.

Sometime around 1:30 a.m. Leary’s brother was awakened to the smell of smoke.  Thanks to quick thinking he was able to rouse his sister and the children and get everyone outside to safety.

Meanwhile, an engine from the Trap Volunteer Fire Department arrived on the scene within minutes after being dispatched by county Emergency Management and began to battle the blaze.

The Trap firemen were joined minutes later by a dozen members of the Powellsville Volunteer Fire Department, which dispatched an equipment truck, a fire engine, and two tankers to assist in battling the blaze.

Despite the efforts of the fire fighters the home was fully engulfed in flames upon their arrival and the family lost all of their possessions.

The family is being temporarily housed at a local motel. Meanwhile, a neighbor, as well as Bertie County Emergency Management Director Mitch Cooper said the American Red Cross has been contacted and is offering assistance to the family, but they are also making an appeal for aid from the public.

“Any assistance you can offer in the form of clothing, age-appropriate toys, and household goods would be greatly appreciated,” Cooper said.

For those who would like to make clothing donations, the mother wears a size 20-22; the brother wears a medium to large shirt size with waist-size 34-36 pants.

The three oldest children, ages 4-thru-6, are a girl and two boys with the girls size 7/8-to-10 and the older boy wears size 6-8 with his younger brother a size 4T-to-6.  The children also attend ColerainPrimary School and in addition to regular clothing will also need school uniforms.

The two youngest children, a girl and a boy aged 3 and 2, wear size 3T-to-5T (girls) and 2T-to-4T (boy).

Shoe sizes are unknown but they would be the average size, age appropriate.

“God bless you and thank you for your willingness to help the family in their time of need,” the neighbor said.