Family, friends and neighbors are rallying together to help a Gautier family that suffered a total loss to their home from an overnight fire. Early Saturday morning, January 5, Adam and Pamela Rupert, along with their dog, escaped to safety before they stood curbside and watched as all their earthly possessions went up in flames, literally. While the smoke was still churning above the charred remains of their home, a community was already going into action to help a family so unexpectedly at a devastating loss. “Transformers blew and caught the wire on fire leading to our home. We have lost our everything. Please pray. We and our dog got out safe. And that’s what matters now.” said Pamela Rupert on her Facebook page shortly after 8:00am.
A talented photographer with a passion for capturing wildlife, especially south Mississippi birds and other flora and fauna, Mrs. Rupert included stunning pictures of the fire as it roiled in the waking light of dawn.Firefighters arrive on scene as dawn breaks.Flames rise along with the Saturday morning sun. Adam Rupert serves as an elder and board member of Cedar Lake Church in Biloxi. Loved deeply by so many, the Ruperts were immediately provided temporary lodging along with ample hugs and prayers from their church family. Social media began spreading news of the fire and responded with more hope, prayers, and encouraging words. By midday Phillip Rupert, one of three adult sons of Adam and Pamela, had set up a gofundme page to help with the immediate physical needs of his parents. “as far as valuables go to an unexpected power failure from a transformer that caused their home to completely burn down. They were able to escape unharmed and get the dog out but all their clothes and memorables did not make it out. We are asking for anyone to give anything they feel comfortable to give to go towards clothing and essentials to get them by during this tragic loss of the things that made their house a home. Thanks so much!” Phillip writes on the page.
Please keep the Ruperts in your thoughts and prayers as they seek to rebuild, again, as they also were coast residents during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. While the road will be long and hard, let us join together to help remind our coast family that beauty will come from the ashes. A glimmer of that beauty has already begun to shine through in the compassion and encouragement that has extended many helping hands.
