A year after a house fire in North Lubbock County claimed the Schoor family’s home and almost their lives, they reflect on their journey to rebuild it.
In February of 2018, Barbara and Garland Schoor’s home caught fire in the middle of the night. They were woken up by a telephone call from their alarm company, ADT, alerting them of the fire.
They said this call saved their lives, since they didn’t hear the fire alarms.
“I think about it often, especially at night when we lay down,” said Barbara Schoor, the homeowner.
Shallowater, West Carlisle, and New Deal Volunteer Fire Departments battled the smoke and blaze. The Schoor’s escaped safely, but their home burnt down.
“It’s something in our lives we are trying to forget,” said Garland Schoor, Barbara’s husband.
“The fire back in the den, how it was blazing when we went through. All the smoke. Just everything,” Barbara Schoor said.
For eight months, they said they lived in a trailer in their front yard, as their new home was built. It had the same shell, but the inside would not look the same.
“It was okay. It was nice. It had three slideouts and everything we wanted. Nothing like a house,” Barbara Schoor said.
After much anticipation, they moved in to the home in October 2018.
“I just think how pretty it is. Smells new,” she said.
While the majority of the home is new, Garland Schoor said memories flooded back to him stepping through the front door.
“It kind of brings you back to memories of your own,” he said.
The Garland’s said they lost some old treasures and pictures in the fire, but fire crews were able to salvage some of their old furniture, including old dressers and an antique booster chair.
While the home is not the same, they said they are very happy with their new home, and the family that fills it.
“That little great grandson, he will be seven,” Garland Schoor said. “I know he says the backroom is his.”
“What makes a home? Love and each other I think?” Barbara Schoor said.
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