The Columbus Police Department is collecting donations for a co-worker who lost nearly everything in a house fire, Friday.
Lisa Lang, a court worker at the Columbus Municipal Complex, her husband and four children are looking for a place to stay after their home at 1486 S. Pickensville Road in Columbus burned down. The family received two free nights in a room at the Gilmer Inn courtesy of the local chapter of the American Red Cross, but as of this morning Lang didn”t know where her family would spend Monday night.
“We don”t know yet. I guess we”ll go to the Salvation Army or Prairie Opportunity (for assistance). They gave us a referral at the Red Cross for more assistance,” said Lang.
The Langs do have family in the area, but none who are able to accommodate the family of six.
The Langs lost almost everything they owned in Friday”s fire. As they were washing clothes around 8 p.m., they noticed smoke coming from the laundry room. Michael Lang, Lisa”s husband, saw flames when he entered the room and tried to douse them with wet clothes from the washing machine.
The family began rushing water to the laundry room, but the flames spread so rapidly the family was forced to leave the house within five minutes. Lisa grabbed her purse and her Bible on the way out. Only one of her four children had shoes on and one son left with his cell phone. Michael Lang, an employee at Irby Electric, has his work cell phone.
“It happened so quick. By the time (Michael) hollered ”Call 911! Get out!” (it was too late),” said Lang.
In the front yard, the family watched their home and Michael”s truck burn. They were able to move two cars to safety.
Michael, Lisa and their children — Marques, 23; Jamarcus, 21; Shalisa, 13; and Michaela, 12; bought new coats over the weekend to replace those lost in the fire. The Columbus Junior Auxiliary provided shoes and school uniforms for the girls, who are back in school today while the family looks for a place to stay.
At the CPD, co-workers immediately began looking for ways to help. Sheila Elder, secretary to Columbus Police Chief Joseph St. John, sent out a departmentwide memo asking employees to donate money or clothing. She”s not sure how much has been collected, thus far.
“We just started working on it,” said Elder.
A hamburger plate lunch fundraiser is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 5 at the police department.
Donations for the Langs can be taken to the CPD. Elder said Wal-Mart gift cards are a good idea.
Terrie Songer, public affairs officer with the CPD, said more fundraisers may be in the works. And the assistance is appropriate, said Songer, because Lang has always been the eager to help others.
“She”s a really good person. If someone needs help. If a tragedy happens to someone else, she”s always the first to try to help,” said Songer.
The Lowndes County Volunteer Fire Department has not yet begun an investigation into the fire.
How to Help
- Sheila Elder, 662-224-3528
- Terrie Songer, 662-364-1540
Jason Browne was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 33 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
