Christmas weekend fire claims GR home

Not much remains of a trailer that burnt on Dec. 22. All that is left is a hollowed out shell, which once was the home to a family of five.

The cause of the fire is still undetermined and the investigation is ongoing, Green River assistant fire chief Austin Rider said.

Around noon on Dec. 22, the Green River Fire Department was dispatched to 700 Schultz No. 36 for a mobile home fire. Rider said firefighters arrived within 3 minutes from receiving the call, but the damage had been done.

The older-style mobile home was completely engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.

"We made sure that the people who lived there were out," Rider said. "They were all out and accounted for."

According to the GoFundMe page https://www.gofundme.com/boutin-family-fire, the mobile home belongs to Jerilyn and John Boutin. They and their three children escaped the fire without injury.

Rider said a family member was the one who made the phone call to dispatch.

Once all of the family members were accounted for, the firefighters had Green River Police officers on scene evacuate the homes around the one on fire.

The firefighters then tackled the blaze by using a hand line to shoot water through the front door.

"We had the fire under control in about 20 minutes," Rider said.

But the damage was done.

"It completely gutted the place," he said.

According to the GoFundMe Boutin page, the family lost all of their belongings in the fire. All they have left is the clothes they had on when they escaped from the home.

"We are excepting any kind of donation to help this family out in their time of need. We appreciate all of your kindness and support during this time," the website states.

The family is receiving assistance from Red Cross of Wyoming.

In a press release, Red Cross of Wyoming stated "Red Cross of Wyoming is assisting two adults and three children after they were displaced from their home by a fire that occurred on Dec. 22 in Green River. Assistance was provided for lodging and other immediate needs. Further assistance will be provided as needed."

Those who would like to help the family by making a donation can do so by going to the Boutin's GoFundMe page.

So far, the about $2,500 of the $20,000 goal has been raised.