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Fire Leaves Young Riverview Family Displaced

Tribune photo by YVETTE C. HAMMETT

Larry Bunkley, left, his fianceé, Tina Henderson and their three-month old daughter, Lilly, were left homeless after a grease fire gutted their kitchen and smoke destroyed nearly everything they owned.

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By YVETTE C. HAMMETT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 11, 2009

RIVERVIEW - Larry Bunkley and Tina Henderson figured they had a couple of more months before they had to find a new home, with foreclosure pending on the house they shared with their baby girl off Simmons Loop Road.

But a grease fire Jan. 5 forced them out early.

Standing outside their damaged house wearing clothes donated by the Emergency Care Help Organization in Brandon, Bunkley and Henderson wondered what the future will hold.

With the loss of most all of their possessions, the engaged couple spent four nights in a hotel room offered up by the Red Cross, then retreated to Henderson's 92-year-old grandfather's house temporarily.

The family dog, Peanut, is staying in the fenced-in yard behind the house for now. The couple doesn't yet know if they'll find a place to accommodate themselves and their dog.

The community is reaching out to Bunkley, a former U.S. Marine, and his fiancée - both still in shock over the events.

Neighbors Paula and John Shepherd were there for them almost immediately to help care for the baby while the couple lived through a chaotic evening.

"Just when you think everything is bad, people like this come out of the woodwork to help you," Henderson said, teary-eyed, as she gently held her baby.

The Riverview Chamber of Commerce has sent a shout-out to members asking for any help they can provide.

"The main thing, after getting help from ECHO and the Red Cross, is we need to find a place we can afford to live," Bunkley said.

Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 865-1566.

WANT TO HELP?

Ruskin businesswoman Stacy Self has agreed to serve as a clearinghouse for any other help the community might offer. To assist with cash donations or to offer any other assistance, contact Self at stacyself@hotmail.com.

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