Follow Up: Family Burned Out of Ross Home Helps Other Fire Victims

Editor's Note: an earlier version of this story incorrectly reported the Heyl home was in West View. It is in Ross Township.

In the nearly four months since Jeff Heyl and his family escaped their burning home on Lilac Avenue in their pajamas and bare feet, they have learned a lot about the genoristy of close neighbors and complete strangers. 

"Our neighbors are phenomonal," he said. " You don't always realize just how good you have it, until something like this happens. So many people stepped up to help out. We can't begin to thank them enough."

Donated clothes, househood goods, and gift cards poured in for Jeff, his wife Kim, and their daughter Krissy, 11, and Kevin, 8 in the days after the fire, which occurred the day after Thanksgiving. 

So much so, that when fire destroyed the Lightsey family home in West View a few months later, the Heyls were able to pass on some of the donated clothes to them.

"Anything we could give them, we did," said Heyl. "We had gotten so much help ourselves, it was great to be able to help someone else."

The home at 125 Lilac Avenue is now gone, not even the foundation could be salvaged.

"I'm not surprised," said Heyl. "When we all got out, I said to someone, the house is done."

With the help of another friend, his family has been renting a home in Ingomar and his children continue to attend Highcliff Elementary, but they have also been "adopted" by Ingomar Elementary in the North Allegheny School District.

"Highcliff has been fantastic in helping us, the kids spend their school days there," said Heyl. "Ingomar has also been great, they allow Kevin the play basketball and Krissy joined the 'girls on the run' program."

Heyl is working with his insurance company and potential builders, and hopes to be able to move back in four to five months. "We can't wait to move back," he said.

In the meantime, Heyl wants to thank everyone who helped them out.

"We would like to extend a special thank you to Loretta Riddile, Kelly O'Keefe, Bonnie Kuchnicki, The Senior Center, Pete Geis and the Quail Volunteer Fire Department (for their quick response time)," he said.

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