Blaze destroys Richards home

By Steve Moyer

Nevada Daily Mail

Mary Jones' home in Richards -- the one that was purchased 30 years ago for $700, and housed her family while the eight children grew up -- was gutted by fire Wednesday.

The fire apparently started around 1 p.m., in an electrical outlet in the bathroom, according to Jones' daughter Linda Underwood.

The family tried to get Jones away to rest elsewhere, but Jones watched as her home was destroyed.

"We tried to get her to stop watching, at one point her blood pressure was 196 over 90, but she wouldn't go," Underwood said. "She can be pretty stubborn."

It has not been a good year for Jones. She has heart problems and recently underwent surgery for colon cancer.

Jones and a grandson were present when the fire broke out.

"My son had to have some teeth pulled, so he was staying with her," Underwood said. "She was in the back bedroom wrapping Christmas gifts and my son was watching T.V. when he looked up and saw some smoke."

Jones was an avid collector of salt and pepper shakers and miniature tea sets, and Underwood reports that it looks like family members will be able to recover some of these for Mary.

"They were her pride and joy," Underwood said. "She had more than 700 sets. We're trying to salvage as much as we can and we have found some sets that are OK."

The community has already started to respond to the family's needs in the aftermath of the fire and Underwood said the family appreciated all the help they've received.

"I think we've had every person in town stop by to help out," Underwood said. "This is just an awesome community to live in."

Underwood said Jones has no plans to leave the community she loves.

"She's staying with us now, but she's really independent," Underwood said. "Her home is out here. I've got a brother in construction and we want to get the insurance man out here, and then we'll doze it down so we can put in a doublewide or something."

One of the changes Jones will need to get used to is the method used to heat the new dwelling.

"She loved wood heat," Underwood said. "I guess we'll put a fireplace in so she can enjoy that, but definitely have central heat and air."

No injuries were reported.