Thanksgiving fire destroys home in Hills

By Lexi MooreA Thanksgiving Day fire in Hills destroyed the home of George Reining.A cell phone user reported the fire to the Rock Country Sheriff’s Department at 2:59 p.m. on Thursday. Firefighters from Hills, Beaver Creek, Lester, Iowa, and Luverne responded to the call and battled the blaze until 5:30 p.m.Reining left in the morning to spend the holiday with relatives, so he wasn’t home when the fire started.He lives alone in the house with his pet dog, which was reportedly lost in the blaze.Members of the Hills Fire Department returned to the scene around 7 p.m. following a 6:46 call to the Sheriff’s Department reporting smoke coming from the home.Hills Fire Chief Jeff Bass said the smoke was the result of a small flare up.Bass reports that the fire was caused by an electrical problem in the wall and spread quickly throughout the house.Reining had been remodeling the home during the past two years. Debris and materials in the house from remodeling projects aided in the spread of the fire and caused the smoke to be extremely toxic.The building lost its roof and second floor supports during the fire and is uninhabitable.Opportunities to helpThe Hills Fireman’s Auxiliary and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans are planning fund-raisers and donation drives to help Reining deal with the tragedyThe fire destroyed all of his possessions, furniture, tools and clothing. Family members searched through the remains of the home over the weekend and recovered some family photos, but little else.The Hills Fireman’s Auxiliary has organized a donation drive for Reining. Members of the Auxiliary will be collecting items and cash donations at the Fire Hall in Hills on Dec. 12.His niece said, "He needs everything. You’d be surprised how much a person uses everyday."Lisa Durst of the Fireman’s Auxiliary is encouraging residents in the area to donate items during their donation drive."This is the time when we, as a community, need to come together," Durst said."He needs a bed, robe, shoes — it’s winter and he lost his coat and boots."Personal items and seasonal clothing are at the top of the list of needed items. Reining’s relatives provided the following list of sizes.
Shirts medium to large
Shoes 10.5-11In addition, the Auxiliary plans to donate money raised at their holiday bake sale during the Hills Community Club Customer Appreciation Night.A benefit pancake and sausage supper at the Hills American Legion on Dec. 8 is being planned with support from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.