KENNER, La. -- The tears came as Roy Garland thought about his cousin, 50-year old Carl Galland, who died after a December fire destroyed this Kenner home.
"Losing Carl really hurt me a lot," Garland said. "We was like brothers. Me and Carl was closer than me and my own real brother."
Roy is blind in one eye, and has severely limited vision in the other. He lives in a small apartment behind the main house where Carl stayed. Carl came to rescue Roy the night of the fire as his dog Bonnie tried to wake him up.
"I said, 'Bonnie, what's wrong? I'm getting up.' About that time Carl come, and he says Roy, and he says the house is on fire. I says what house? He says the front house. Then me and him come through the gate. I said you all right? He said yeah, I'm just burned on my arm and the back of my neck."
Roy couldn't see that Carl was so badly burned he had to be rushed to the hospital. He died two days later.
Now Roy is homeless and staying with best friend Ramona Arceneaux, because even though his apartment was not damaged, it shared utilities with the main house, and officials say work must be done before Roy can return.
"He said you got to get this house, has got to come down, and your apartment has to be up to code," Garland said.
"He wants to come home," Ramona said, "and I made a promise to his Momma I would take care of him, and he wants to be here. We're gonna find a way to get him here."
Garland said if it wasn't for her, he'd be "in the woods in a tent somewhere."
But many family members live on this same street, and the badly damaged house is a constant reminder of the tragedy.
"It happened just prior to Christmas, and having to drive by it," said Dan Morris. "His mom lives (near), and just walking to her mail box, she has to look at this every day."
Roy lives on a small disability check, and called the Action Line because he can't afford to demolish the damaged house and reconnect the utilities to his apartment. I contacted Kenner Community Development, and they will help Roy screen offers of aid.
"We will start keeping a log and a record of any donations from individuals or companies that feel that they can help this family with the demolition of the property," said Arleeta Terrell, director of Kenner Community Development.
"It means the world to me," Roy said.
I'll let you know what happens. Any individual, company, or charitable agency wishing to help Roy is asked to call Kenner Community Development at 468-7588.
