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Fire Cancels Traditional Gathering

Hernando Today photo by BOB EAST

Hernando County firefighters battle a house fire off Mobley Road Monday morning.

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By KYLE MARTIN

Published: December 24, 2007

Updated: 12/24/2007 08:35 pm

BROOKSVILLE - BROOKSVILLE - The traditional Christmas get-together at grandma's house was put on hold Monday morning by a devastating fire.

Berdie Hopkins was on the phone inside her home on Mobley Road when she turned around and saw smoke billowing out of her kitchen about 10 a.m.

She immediately headed outside to enlist some help and was halfway to her neighbor's house when she remembered her grandson was still sleeping inside.

As Hopkins returned, her 25-year-old grandson, Philip Hopkins, met her on his way out the front door.

By now, flames had spread from the kitchen through the rest of the house, and a thick column of gray smoke was sifting through the shade trees surrounding her house.

Mobley Road is less than a mile from Brooksville Regional Hospital and bordered by Cortez Boulevard and Wiscon Road.

Fire engines rumbled down the soft sand road that curves past two other houses on the family spread. Firefighters armed with hoses and heavy poles dodged Christmas lights strung around the house as they mounted their attack.

Soapy foam drenched the flames that could be seen through holes in the melted tan siding.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Hopkins said she didn't have anything cooking on the stove.

While firefighters went about their business, Hopkins, 63, sat in a plastic chair surrounded by neighbors who offered words of comfort. The fire was swift and sudden: She was still in her bathrobe; Philip Hopkins was wrapped in a comforter from his bed.

Hopkins' husband, a minister in Floral City, had left earlier that morning.

Philip Hopkins woke up to find smoke seeping into his bedroom.

"My only thought was to get out," he said.

On Christmas morning, Hopkins was planning on a packed house with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all coming over to her home of 42 years. Now the Hopkins' family will give them a place to stay and host Christmas for a change.

"Whatever was in there is gone now," Hopkins said, tears streaming down her face.

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com.

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