Children Who Escaped Fire 'Replay the Whole Thing in Their Heads'

The fire that swept through a two-story house on Water Street Wednesday sent six people out into the early morning cold and destroyed all of their possessions. Everything was lost in the blaze, from school papers to cell phones, clothing and furniture.

Andrea Adigun, the mother of the four children in the first floor apartment, had enough time to grab the children and run. "We came out in our pajamas," she said.

She woke up that morning to her teenage daughter's screams. The fire had started in the bedroom of the 16-year-old, the Milford Fire Department determined.

The Adiguns have four children living in the home, ages 16 to 4. Their oldest daughter is away at college. They've lived in Milford for three years, said Adigun, who was the only parent at home that morning, as her husband was working an overnight job.

"I grabbed the kids and ran," Adigun said.

Upstairs, a woman and her dog, a Boston terrier, escaped the fire when a neighbor ran to alert her. He had been on his way to work and saw the flames, said Adigun. The fire at 24 Water St. was reported shortly before 6 a.m.

Later that morning, the Adiguns watched, visibly distraught, as the firefighters extinguished the blaze. Adigun said this week she was in shock. Like many victims, she never thought it would happen to her family.

"I don't even know what I was thinking," she said. "All I know is that my life had just completely shut down."

The Adiguns did not have renters insurance. The American Red Cross said this is unfortunately common. About 90 percent of tenants displaced by fires in Central Massachusetts do not have insurance on their belongings.

The family is staying with Andrea's sister, who also lives in Milford. Their school-aged children went to school the morning of the fire, with their cousins, and have remained in school since, Adigun said. The family is looking for another 3- to 4-bedroom apartment in Milford, and hopes to remain here.

The children seem to be coping with the loss of their belongings, but the trauma of the fire has affected them, she said. "They have their moments," she said. "They are scared of another fire. They replay the whole thing in their heads."

The Adiguns and the neighbor upstairs,

The Adiguns also are accepting clothing for their children. The schools the children attend have already contacted the family and are collecting school supplies.

The children's needs are as follows:

16-year-old girl, clothing size large in juniors, shoe size 9

10-year-old girl, clothing size 10-12, shoe size 5-6

8-year-old girl, clothing size 8-10, shoe size 3

4-year-old boy, clothing size 4, shoe size 11 in children's sizes.

Contributions of clothing will be accepted at the Adiguns temporary address: 36 Spring St., Apt. 2nd floor, enter through porch.

Bank information:

Donations to the Adigun Fire Fund can be made at any branch of Milford Federal Savings & Loan, with checks payable to the "Adigun Fire Fund," or mailed to Milford Federal Savings & Loan, 246 Main St., Milford, MA 10757, Attn: Customer Service.

Donations to Sheryl Rice can be made at any branch of Milford Federal Savings & Loan with checks payable to the "Sheryl Rice Fire Fund" or mailed to Milford Federal Savings & Loan, 246 Main St., Milford, MA 01757, Attn: Customer Service.