By ALIN HETT
Hays Post
ELLIS — The Gabel family in Ellis is beginning the process of rebuilding after a devastating house fire that was allegedly intentionally set.
Jordan Gabel, director of nursing at Trego Long Term Care in WaKeeney, said she, her husband Branden Gabel and their three sons were asleep early on the night of June 18, when frantic pounding on the front door woke them.
“My husband and I had no idea what was going on, but we could tell from the urgency in her voice that something was wrong,” Gabel said.
The pounding came from a neighbor who had noticed the fire and immediately rushed to alert the family while calling 911.
Gabel said when she and her husband opened their bedroom door, smoke immediately filled the home.
“We were hit by smoke,” she said.
The couple quickly rushed to get their children out safely. Their youngest sons, Lucas, 7, and Ryker, 6, slept in bedrooms near their parents, while their oldest son, Gunner, 12, was asleep in the basement.
Gabel said the smoke was so thick the family initially could not tell where the fire was located.
“Just from the amount of smoke, we did not know where the fire was,” she said. “We did not see flames until we exited the house.”
While Gabel hurried outside with the two younger boys, her husband attempted to reach Gunner in the basement. However, before anyone could get to him, the family’s dog Diesel had already helped save the boy’s life.
Diesel, a border collie and Australian shepherd mix, had been outside in the backyard with the family’s other surviving dog, Oreo. Gabel said the family believes the person who allegedly broke into the home, left the back door open (not on purpose), allowing Diesel to get inside.
Diesel then made his way downstairs and began barking in Gunner’s room until the 12-year-old woke up and escaped the home safely.
Gabel said the smoke detectors did not activate until after the neighbor began pounding on the front door, making the warning from neighbors and the actions of Diesel critical in helping the family escape safely.
Once outside, the severity of the fire became clear.
“The fire department gets there and all we see are huge flames coming out of the garage,” Gabel said. “And I just knew immediately, this is bad.”
After the fire, the family learned from the fire chief that investigators believed the blaze was an alleged arson. Gabel said additional concern spread through the neighborhood after a nearby resident also reported vandalism following the alleged break-in at the Gabel home on the same night.
SEE RELATED STORY: Suspect arrested in alleged arson of family home in Ellis
Neighbors throughout the area quickly rallied around the family. One nearby resident brought the children and one of the dogs into her home for safety while others contacted relatives and helped the family in the immediate aftermath.
Among those stepping up to help was Kayla Ford, who Gabel said has helped organize fundraising efforts since the fire happened.
“Kayla told me she wanted to help, and saying no was not an option,” Gabel said.
In just days following the fire, community members raised more than $7,000 through Venmo donations alone. Additional money has also been collected through a bank account established for the family.
Gabel said there have been multiple accounts through facebook who are “fake” accounts trying to scam people. Gabel said her Venmo is: “Jordan-Gabel-7”.
Community members have also donated clothing, household supplies and everyday necessities as the family works to transition into temporary housing.
“It’s the little things that you do not even think about,” Gabel said. “My son asked me for fingernail clippers, and my thought was they’re in the bathroom. Then I remembered we are not at home.”
While some pets survived, some did not.
The family lost their dog, Jax, along with cats, Luna and Alpha. Another cat, Powder, remains missing. Gabel said the 9-year-old cat often slept in the garage on her son’s mower seat, and the family remains hopeful Powder might have escaped safely.
Despite the tragedy, Gabel said the support from the community has helped bring light during an incredibly dark time.
“When I was standing there watching my house burn, I felt a darkness in my soul,” she said. “I did not think I would ever feel light again, and everything the community has done, every hour I feel a little bit more light.”
Gabel said she expected some people would help because she has often helped organize support efforts for others facing tragedy in the community. However, she said the level of support has gone far beyond anything she imagined.
“The level that it’s gotten to, it’s just unreal,” she said.
Friends, coworkers and community organizations continue finding ways to support the family. Gabel’s coworkers at Trego Long Term Care in WaKeeney are organizing a bake sale July 2, with all proceeds benefiting the Gabel family and restoration efforts.
Although the home suffered extensive damage, Gabel said the family recently received encouraging news about rebuilding. A drywall inspector determined the home’s studs remained intact and that the drywall largely performed as intended during the fire.
The family has since hired a contractor and plans to restore the home.
“My husband and I have already talked about what we can do for the community once this is done,” Gabel said. “We want to give back to the community something that will make this place greater than it already is.”