Campus and Community Needed for Victims of House Fire

Managing Editor

   The University of Arkansas at Monticello and the Monticello community reached out to Custodian Marilyn Suber and family after a fire consumed their house and two vehicles. Suber has worked at the university for 16 years.

   According to reports, Suber woke-up to find her child's room on fire around 2 a.m. March 6. The report states the fire source as an iPod, which caught a mattress on fire then spread to the rest of the house. Due to the Suber house’s wood-truss construction and high winds, the fire burned 70-100 percent of the home, including two vehicles sitting in the carport.

   Suber, her husband and three children escaped the fire unharmed.

   "One of my girls woke me up telling me her mattress was on fire. I ran and grabbed the fire extinguisher, but by the time I got back the room was engulfed in flames. We just exited," Suber said.

   Diane Forrest of the Maintenance and Physical Plant said the campus and community have provided some assistance to the Suber family.

   "We have nominated Marilyn for KATV's 'Cars for a Cause' contest and are accepting donations," Forrest said.

    Forrest said the Drew County Speedway plans to have a donation booth and also pass around a helmet through the crowds for monetary donations.

   "The Advance Monticellonian plans to put an ad in their newspaper asking for donations," Forrest said.

   According to MonticelloLive, Suber's husband, Jack, wears extra large shirts, 38/30 pants and size eight and a half shoes. Marilyn wears extra large shirts, size 16 pants and size ten shoes.

   Suber said she and her family need whatever anyone can donate.

   "We need sheets, towels, just anything. You know, we lost everything," Suber said.

   To make a donation to the Suber family, please call Diane Forrest at 460-1018. Donations can be made by dropping them off at the Maintenance/ Physical Plant.

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