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HFD: Single mom, 3 kids homeless after suspicious fire in North Houston

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by Lisa Chavarria / 11 News

khou.com

Posted on July 19, 2010 at 8:06 AM

Updated Monday, Jul 19 at 10:39 AM

HOUSTON—A single mother and her three children were homeless after a suspicious fire destroyed their North Houston home early Monday morning, according to investigators.

The mother, her two daughters and son were asleep in the home, located on DePriest at Morrow, when they were awakened by the lights of the fire trucks around 2:30 a.m.

"She seen lights and thought someone was breaking in. She looked back out, and that’s when she saw flames coming from the front porch," homeowner Alfranetheia Bradley said.

Everyone escaped the blaze unharmed, but the house was a total loss.

"We all ran out the back door. By the time we made it to the front, my whole porch was engulfed in flames," Bradley said.

Arson investigators said the fire was suspicious because it started outside.

The family had only been living in the home for a few months, and they didn't know why someone would want to destroy it.

Bradley said she and her kids would be staying with her mother until they figure out what to do next.

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Comments: Displaying 1 - 15 of 39

lav84 said on July 19, 2010 at 10:57 PM

as for all the no life's that have something to say about a single mother and children that just lost there only place to live , you have issues and need mental help, this is not a website to make people feel ashamed of there problems, it to let the public know whats going on around the communities, so everybody gets there day so when your day comes lets hope nobody has anything to say about you all and make you feel bad and my god have mercy on your heartless soul!

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lld2282 said on July 19, 2010 at 7:49 PM

surefoot1: You speak from experience? You comment makes you as bad as the others.

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raveon said on July 19, 2010 at 6:18 PM

I really think the reason for the questions about the father/fathers is the statement about these kids literally being on the streets. The father/fathers should be willing to make sure their children have some place to go. So everyone take a chill pill and stop reading more into it than there is. She stated she can stay at her mother's so they won't be "homeless" as the headline grabber states.

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rationalhate1 said on July 19, 2010 at 5:35 PM

Don't the mojados still call ICE "la migra"?

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dragonfly67 said on July 19, 2010 at 4:08 PM

gee shrimp, want a mobile community, just walk outside and yell ICE....

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jumboshrimp said on July 19, 2010 at 4:02 PM

Yeah, I keep my tires filleded up, so I can move around the county, hidin' from Golden Corral 'n Southern Maid donuts! (I owe them money, ya know.) Don't forget about tonight! It's all you can eat Manish water 'n twinkies down at Uncle Roy's Barrel Barn! I'm wearin' my best overalls and John Deere cap. You know, the one with the logo on the back!

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trip7 said on July 19, 2010 at 3:32 PM

shrimp> I didn't know these wheels were so we could go mobil??? I thought thay were to keep us off tha ground & make tha home bouncie......dang let's roll then.....

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jumboshrimp said on July 19, 2010 at 2:32 PM

I like to think of where I live as a mobile community, not a trailer park, thank you surefoot. :D

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surefoot1 said on July 19, 2010 at 1:48 PM

Just love these high and mighty trailer park refugees and their snide comments concerning family. So the lady is a single mom with three kids. How many does your mom have by your father, how many half brothers and sisters you have by your mothers fourth husband, how many wives beside your mother have your father had? Your parents get married ans stay married or you end up with six or seven "step" brothers or sisters. There are single moms, black white, mexican or whatever that didn't marry their kids father. But we also have alot of "ya'll" that get married, get married again, and get married again and again. Set in your doublewide and feel good because you know who your dad is. The question is: do you know who else's dad he is? You do get married, but some weakness in your DNA just won't let you STAY married. Go figure...

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pinklady25 said on July 19, 2010 at 1:33 PM

@txkowgirl, renters insurance can cost as low as $20 a month. Sometimes even cheaper, of course depending on how much coverage. I think its a good investment in case something like this were to happen.

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texpert2 said on July 19, 2010 at 1:25 PM

Amen, @trip7, you were right about Dixiechick having it right on this one! I would also like to point out the following comments, made by one of my fellow white women who is obviously as SICK to death of all the racist BS that gets spouted on here as I am: sheliae said on July 19, 2010 at 10:27 AM I am white and I am so tired of everything being about the color of your skin. If EVERYONE would stop judging by the color of skin or how someone lives then we would have a much happier and peaceful world to live in. This woman just lost her home and everything she owns, maybe it wasn't much to some people BUT IT WAS TO HER AND HER KIDS. Thankfuly they have a safe place to stay!

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trip7 said on July 19, 2010 at 12:29 PM

dixiechick said on July 19, 2010 at 11:20 AM The focus of this story should be the tragedy how a fire can turn your world upside down, finding out what caused it, and helping this family - not their personal life or anything to do with who fathered the children, whether or not they have family except in the interest of the family helping them. Anyone who uses this opportunity to vent about their own issues definitely has issues - it doesn't appear this woman caused the fire or burned her house down. She is a victim and who fathered her children is irrelevant. For all anyone knows, the father is deceased. And that's no one's business. Prayers for this family. >>>>>>>>>>>>>WORTH REPEATIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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firedog said on July 19, 2010 at 12:23 PM

la_diabla_tejana , thought everything is bush's fault...

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la_diabla_tejana said on July 19, 2010 at 12:00 PM

So when is Quanell X going to blame white people for the fire?

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txkowgirl said on July 19, 2010 at 11:55 AM

Something this horrible, could happen to anyone! NEWSFLASH! There are people struggling to put food on their tables, that can't afford luxuries such as Renter's Insurance! Glad the family is safe. The American Red Cross offers help to uninsured who have lost all in a fire..

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benelli said on July 19, 2010 at 11:54 AM

Lisa Chavarria, ♥ :) oh yeah, the house fire glad they are all ok.

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lbrando said on July 19, 2010 at 11:29 AM

I have to agree that some of these comments are just plain ignorant !!! This woman has only lived in this house for a few months, her and her children were sleeping when it started and it started from the outside. Instead of thanking the Lord that they got out ok some of you want to start talking about babies daddys, welfare and looking toward the community to support them. I must have missed something because what I read said that they would be staying with her mother until they figured out what to do next. Stupid and ignorant, that's what some of you are. I'm glad that they made it out ok and nobody was hurt. Some of you need to grow up and wisen up, there is such a thing as bad karma.

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jumboshrimp said on July 19, 2010 at 11:29 AM

Hey, Madonna has multiple kids by different fathers, why aren't we bashing her? Or does it not count since she's wealthy and white?

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jusmyopinion said on July 19, 2010 at 11:25 AM

I am a single mom of two also and have never lived off the system. I have always worked hard and provided for my kids. The MOST important thing is that no one was hurt and they are stll together at her moms. I wish them all the best of luck. I have also lost everything in a fire - it was very hard to cope with. You work hard for the things you have and for it to be taken away in the blink of an eye is pretty gut wrenching. We had insurance so the financial side of it we were fine but, starting over is very hard !!!! I think it took about about a year and a half before our lives got back to normal.

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dixiechick said on July 19, 2010 at 11:20 AM

The focus of this story should be the tragedy how a fire can turn your world upside down, finding out what caused it, and helping this family - not their personal life or anything to do with who fathered the children, whether or not they have family except in the interest of the family helping them. Anyone who uses this opportunity to vent about their own issues definitely has issues - it doesn't appear this woman caused the fire or burned her house down. She is a victim and who fathered her children is irrelevant. For all anyone knows, the father is deceased. And that's no one's business. Prayers for this family.

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cojeda86 said on July 19, 2010 at 11:04 AM

I take offense to your comment planetq. I am a single mom and work very, and go to school. I pay my taxes, and if I need a little help I deserve the help. I PAY into the system. You don't know her situation, you just assume that's what it is.

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firedog said on July 19, 2010 at 10:46 AM

idiot tar ball.......roflmfao.....

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firedog said on July 19, 2010 at 10:45 AM

lacyd, seems daisy has baby daddies with the same fathers, that is why she is so upset...neither one can get money from them....

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lacyd said on July 19, 2010 at 10:31 AM

so adding daisymay to my list of tarball. you're stuck on this baby daddies business aren't you. I take it you know this woman personally. And if you do, then some friend or family you are, putting this poor, newly homeless woman's business out on the web like that. Shame on you you tar ball. Next, i'm going to assume that you don't know her at all and are just assuming she has multiple baby daddies, which makes you an idiot tar ball. Next, i'm going to assume that you know the baby daddy or daddies, let you tell it and know personally that the mother is being an egotistical biyatch and won't let those kids go stay with their dad(s) in the midst of all of these trials. Yep, i'd do best by just assuming that you're a tar ball. it just feels better.

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sheliae said on July 19, 2010 at 10:27 AM

I am white and I am so tired of everything being about the color of your skin. If EVERYONE would stop judging by the color of skin or how someone lives then we would have a much happier and peaceful world to live in. This woman just lost her home and everything she owns, maybe it wasn't much to some people BUT IT WAS TO HER AND HER KIDS. Thankfuly they have a safe place to stay!

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firedog said on July 19, 2010 at 10:26 AM

daisy, was addressing the homeowners insurance, where they pay for a motel.

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daisymay said on July 19, 2010 at 10:16 AM

But FD, I think you can get renter's insurance. As for the babydaddy, if she was truly homeless, I would think she would swallow her ego and allow her kids to stay with their dads while she tried to find other housing.

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jumboshrimp said on July 19, 2010 at 10:16 AM

Oh, wait, I get it! The kids have multiple fathers because she's BLACK! Ok, yes, I understand now. Because she's black, then she must be a street walker, with multiple kids, living off the government. Wow the news is informative and the commentators are educational. Two for one! Stereotyping is a great way to pass the time, I reckon. And from the video, she's going to be staying with her mom, while they figure out what to do.

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trip7 said on July 19, 2010 at 10:07 AM

I rent & I have insurance...it could happin...That would be the most horrible way to wake up. Fell waeful for them...I hope thay get some help.....

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firedog said on July 19, 2010 at 9:58 AM

raveon, would think she was renting...therefore no insurance of any kind...

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pinklady25 said on July 19, 2010 at 9:54 AM

PlanetQ: That really is a rude comment to say. I am a single mother of 2, but I certainly do not live off taxpayers. I work hard and provide for my kids, even if their bd (both of them have the same one, jsyk) is a piece of s&^T. That doesn't mean I am going to be sitting around being lazy like some mothers I know that do live off taxpayers. So please, unless you know, then I suggest you keep those comments to yourself.

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imalady2 said on July 19, 2010 at 9:47 AM

She can contact the American Red Cross office at SW Freeway, and they can/will help her find temporary accommodations and emergency supplies for herself and the children. What a terrible thing to happen to anyone, but a mother of three small children is tragic.

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raveon said on July 19, 2010 at 9:37 AM

"Bradley says for now she will be staying with her mother." Kind of contridicts the last sentence of the story that says she has no place to go with her kids. Any homeower's insurance? That would cover expenses of staying elsewhere. It's good that no one was hurt.

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ruby2 said on July 19, 2010 at 9:35 AM

Instead of making judgmental statements of a person that has undergone a tragedy, why can't we see what we can do as a community to help this family? It would be refreshing to see people's compassion for those that are hurting versus cruel and unneeded statements. KHOU staff that are writing articles like this need to be informative to the public and do a follow-up story to get the community involved. There are many that would love to extend kindness, but it would be nice to know what specifically is needed before jumping in.

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rosstr said on July 19, 2010 at 9:31 AM

Daisymay-this is not wonderland and eveyrone doesn't have family...sheesh. so many morons online.

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lovedalways said on July 19, 2010 at 9:31 AM

Daisymay, why does she have to have more than one baby daddy? you are wrong for judging her, you are no better than anyone else so who the hell are you to judge someone. An so what if there is more than one you still have no better. This women lost her home and has no where to go and all your worried about is were is the father's ?

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daisymay said on July 19, 2010 at 9:08 AM

Where are the father's? She has no family? That's what family is for.

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concernedmom27 said on July 19, 2010 at 9:04 AM

planetq, What a disgusting comment to make. She could be divorced with one "baby daddy" who is evading child support while the attorney general twiddles their thumbs. Not all people who are single parents live off of taxpayers. If you know for a fact that someone has 4 kids, 3 "baby daddies", and collect welfare, then open your mouth to insult them. Until then, please do not always assume the worst. Most single moms that I know are hard-working, tax-paying citizens.

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planetq said on July 19, 2010 at 8:53 AM

Dear Single Mom: now is a good time to look up the baby daddies and make them help support their children! I (and many other taxpayers) are tired of the single moms expecting handouts and lifetime support for their broods.

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