No one was injured when a fallen tree branch caused fires that destroyed three mobile homes in Moorhead early Monday, Moorhead Fire Marshal Rich Duysen said.
Duysen said firefighters were called to the Greenwood Mobile Home Park about 4 a.m. Monday after a tree branch fell across electrical lines serving the three homes, causing arcing that set them afire.
He said firefighters were in the area waiting for utility workers to shut off power when fires began erupting in the three mobile homes.
Duysen said all three families got out safely.
In one case a loud-meowing family cat awoke the occupants, he said.
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People in the other homes were alerted by electrical problems, Duysen said.
The fallen branch, he said, caused an electrical short in power lines serving the homes, causing wiring in the homes to become energized and overheat.
Duysen identified the occupants of the homes as Robert and Henrietta Brady; Barb Robertson and William Fohrenck; and Rebecca Birchem and Paul Flores.
Birchem said they were startled early Monday by a loud bang and sparks from the damaged power lines.
After the electricity went out she took her 9-year-old son, Justin, to her mother's house for the night, Birchem said.
While away, she received a call that her home was on fire.
"Now we're without a home," Birchem said Monday afternoon as she and others removed damaged items from the burned-out structure.
Birchem said her family will stay with relatives until they can find a place to live.
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The American Red Cross is providing the other families with temporary shelter, Duysen said.
The Morningside-Greenwood Block Club has set up a fund to assist the families at State Bank of Hawley in Moorhead.
Checks can be made out to the Greenwood Mobile Home Park Fire Fund.
Donations, including clothing and appliances, can also be brought to Morningside Video, 1915 Main Ave. S.E., Moorhead.
"I just hope we can get some clothes -- it's a bad time of year to lose all your clothes," said Joe Bennett, a founder of the neighborhood club.
Readers can reach Moorhead Bureau Chief Dave Olson at (701) 241-5555
