Midnight fire devours apartment units
In the largest fire Cleveland has seen in decades, 10 units at Sleepy Hollow
Apartments in Cleveland were destroyed and another 6 sustained serious damage
during Wednesday night's conflagration. No one was injured in the blaze, but
many occupants lost everything they owned in the fire.
Cleveland Fire Department took the first call at approximately 12:30 a.m. early
Thursday morning. They were joined by fire departments from Tarkington, Splendora,
Shepherd, Livingston, and Onalaska, who battled for hours to contain the roaring
fire.
The fire started in a second-floor apartment, and quickly ate through the ceiling
into an attic space shared by all the top floor units. Residents of that building,
as well as the two adjacent buildings, were evacuated into the freezing night
air.
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.
The community of Cleveland has reacted quickly to the devastation caused by the
fire. A Sleepy Hollow Fire Victims fund has been established at First Bank and
Trust, and a board established that will administer the monies donated to that
fund.
Operation Refuge, Inc. of Cleveland, under the direction of Frieda White, is
acting as an unofficial liaison between the Red Cross, Salvation Army, her own
organization, and community leaders in identifying fire victims and their needs
for food, clothing, furniture, and housing.
A canned goods drive has been organized for the victims. Drop boxes are located
at Omni Physical Therapy on College; the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce on Bonham;
Rob Bassetts' State Farm Agency on Dallas; Brookshire Brothers; Wal-Mart; and
the City of Cleveland Administration Offices on East Boothe.
Three local peace officers and their families lost everything in the fire. A
chili luncheon benefit for them and other fire victims has been scheduled for
next Thursday, Dec. 18, at Stancil Park Log Cabin from noon until the food is
gone. The $5 ticket cost will go directly to the victim's fund.
Hospital's Emergency Room still open
The good news is that the emergency room at Cleveland Regional Medical Center
is still open. The bad news is that, because of construction work on the nearly
$6 million expansion program at the hospital, the entrance has been moved from
East Crockett to Houston Street - the old "front" of the hospital,
next to First United Methodist Church - and that has served to confuse some Cleveland
residents.
Parking is available directly across the street from the "new" emergency
room entrance.
Funeral Services
--Arturo Sosa; Services Saturday, Dec. 13, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, with
interment following at Pace-Stancil Memorial Rest Gardens. Visitation hours are
all day Friday, with a Rosary at 7 p.m. at Pace-Stancil/Probst Chapel.
--John Parker; 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Pace-Stancil/Probst Chapel, with
interment following at the First Baptist Church of Romayor. Visitation hours
are 6-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12.
On Tap at the Texan
Tonight at 7 and 9 is the live action/animated cartoon comedy "Looney Tunes:
Back in Action". Admission is $2 for children aged 3-11, and $4 for those
aged 12 and older.
Did you miss a day? Catch up with the Archive.
