By Jennifer Stultz
Tri-County Tribune Editor
jstultz@cherryroad.com
Denny and Ginger Bowe have lived in their home at 712 S. Oak in Pratt since 1970; it was originally built in 1889. Early Monday morning, September 9, along with a neighborhood of concerned citizens and fire response teams, they witnessed a lifetime of memories and work go up in flames as their home was destroyed by fire.
“I had gotten up to go to the bathroom and, because of my knee (recent knee surgery), had a hard time getting back into bed and rolled into Denny,” said Ginger Bowe. “He woke up and saw flames in the bedroom windows.”
A neighbor had already called 911 to report the fire, reportedly around 12:30 a.m. Monday, by the time the couple exited the house and began to realize the extent of what was going on.
“I heard the windows break because of the heat and knew we had to get out of there,” said Denny Bowe. “The fire had started at ground level in our outdoor kitchen and the flames were already reaching all the way up to our second story bedroom windows.”
A quick response from the City of Pratt Fire Department and a block-long section of flashing lights and emergency vehicles kept most in the usually quiet neighborhood on edge throughout a long Sunday-to-Monday night.
“They were still here at 5:30 a.m. on Monday,” Ginger Bowe said. “We are so thankful for all the help and that the fire was kept contained to just our house. We are so thankful for that.”
A nearby garage, a guest house, and other outbuildings in the back yard, plus a close neighbor’s home to the south were not damaged in the significant blaze.
While viewing the damage early Tuesday morning, the Bowe’s said that seeing the fire damage in their bedroom brought home how lucky they were to be alive, and how fortunate they are to live in a place like Pratt.
“We’ve been so blessed by the people who have come out to support us, to offer us help, to just be there,” Denny Bowe said. “I’ve got more friends than I ever thought possible.”
Rapid response by insurance adjusters, a visit from the state fire marshall, and internet and electrical technicians have already set the stage for a clean-up phase that comes next for the Bowes. They are able to live in their backyard guest home and are still evaluating how to move forward.
““In 1905 this house was actually a grocery store in the middle of a section of woods,” Gineger Bowe said. “A lot has changed since then. We have remodeled and rebuilt it three times in the past 50+ years.”
More important than plans to rebuild for Bowe’s however, is the fact that the couple can celebrate Denny’s 79th birthday which was Tuesday, September 10.
“He went out and tried to fight the fire initially with a garden hose,” Ginger Bowe said. “I’m just glad he is here today.”
