Family displaced by fire returns home

PINE PLAINS — Robert Decker’s family is glad things are returning to normal.

The Deckers, who live on Stissing Avenue, moved back into their home last Thursday, after spending approximately four-and-a-half months displaced by a house fire in November of last year.

The family lives on the top floor of an apartment house, and while the cause of the fire still has not been officially reported, Decker,  who is the first assistant chief with the Pine Plains Hose Company, believes it may have started due to his son’s Nintendo Wii video game console overheating. The entire apartment was destroyed and had to be gutted and started over from scratch.

The Deckers (Robert, his wife, Robin, and their three children, Zachary, Adriana and McKenzie) contacted The Millerton News to express their thanks to the many people and businesses who helped out over the past months. They include, but are not limited to:

The North East Training Association, a collection of local fire chiefs, along with all the local fire departments and firemen.

Ibis and Sarah Guzman, who set up a special fund at Stissing National Bank to assist the family.

Lennie and Patty Morrison and the Hudson River Health Care. “If it wasn’t for them, my children wouldn’t have had a Christmas,� Decker said. “They did a wonderful, wonderful job.�

Saperstein’s and Moore and More Printing, who provided the family with clothes and necessities immediately following the fire.

Riley’s Furniture, Tom McGhee, Robin Meyer and family and everyone else who lent a helping hand.

“It was a shock,� Decker said, “to see everyone help out. It’s amazing how everybody came together like that.�