markjohnson

[396L35]

Mark Johnson needs some prayers lifted up for him as we witnessed his house go up in flames Sunday evening. Mark is safe but he lost everything including his cat that he loved more then the cars. We were fortunate to get in and salvage some personal things but his extensive book/magazine collection that he has collected since his childhood was either destroyed by the fire or the water. The detached garage/workshop was safe from the fire and its contents are the only thing he has left. Mark said he will be back but it will take some time. Thanks, Mark

[WILMASBOYL78]

Maybe you can let us know how & where we can help..

wilma

[PxTx]

That is aweful! I'll keep you in my prayers Mark and look forward to some positive updates.

[CC Rider]

Sorry to hear this. We'll be thinking about Mark and wishing him the best.

[Xplantdad]

Mark, let us know what we can do to help out Mark. Did he have insurance?

[PeteLeathersac]

Sad to see this news but good to hear everyone's Ok!.
Sorry about the cat also personal items lost/ruined, been there done that and it's not a good feeling..
Hopefully all is well insured, Mark and his family are in our prayers..

~ Pete

[ORIGLS6]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: WILMASBOYL78</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Maybe you can let us know how &amp; where we can help..

wilma </div></div>

Please!

[Postsedan]

Oh No! This is terrible.....Mark is such a GOOD Guy!
I feel for him.
Milchak, keep us posted..... I`ll call you a bit later.

Dan

[SS427]

I have seen families go through this nine times in the last 2 1/2 years of being on the fire department. It is NOT fun. Our heartfelt condolences for what he and his family will be going through. I have seen the worst side of these incidents and am very glad to hear that was not the case with Mark or his family though losing a pet is bad enough.

[Charley Lillard]

I'm very sorry to hear about this. Maybe someone can ask Mark what we can do to help.

[mockingbird812]

Sorry to hear this terrible news. Glad Mark is ok. How can we help?

[TDW]

Mark, I feel so bad for you and your family. My deepest condolences on the loss of your pet.

[MrsBillyBobcat]

Oh no! So sorry to hear this Mark! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif

Thanks for letting us know and please let him know that I am thinking of him and so sorry to hear about the loss of his cat <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif

Rita

[Kim_Howie]

Sorry to hear about your loss Mark.

[DarrenX33]

Mark I'm glad you are ok. As awful as it is there is no replacing your life. Hang in there man.

[396L35]

Thanks for all the warm comments and wishes I will pass them along. Mark has homeowners insurance and it seems that they are willing to rebuild plus pay for all the contents that were in the house. Mark has never been married nor has any children so he is shacking up at his sisters house until he can rent a place. He just wanted me to put the word out there because someone on here was interested in his truck/something he was selling and he was supposed to send pictures Sunday evening but unfortunately his World was turned upside down. The only thing Mark needs is mental/friendship support to get him motivated to move forward. I will keep you posted.

[Postsedan]

Thanks for the update and check your cell phone.
Wishing Mark the very Best!

Dan

[markjohnson]

Thanks for the kind words everybody. They are needed much more than I can express on this keyboard right now. I have lost everything and am going through the most difficult thing of my life. A lifetime of acquisitions, rare car parts, family photos and documents are now erased from my life and my life will never be the same after this. I was actually lucky to make it back outside after running back in the house to rescue my cat but I was overcame with just one breath of that terrible, terrible thick, black smoke. It actually made me collapse to my knees just outside the front door and I was dragged away by two people. Please learn from my mistake and keep important papers, car titles, college diplomas, etc. in a fire safe box. Right now, I have no wallet, no driver's license, no car titles, etc. Everything is gone and I have to start all over again. I have seen the good side of people as many neighbors have contributed clothes and offered places to sleep. All I have is the clothes on my back right now. I'm not sure how often I'll be able to check in here after this message but I'll try. Thanks again everybody, from the absolute bottom of my heart. Great . . . I'm crying again.

[69 Post Sedan]

Mark, this is a terrible story. I'm glad you weren't hurt but sad to hear about your belongings including your cat. If there's anything that you need, I'm sure I speak for everyone on this site, just ask.

Kurt

[Postsedan]

Mark,

Wow, good to hear from you. As bad as it seems and as bad as it is right now.....I am sure, along with many others, that we are all very blessed to have you with us. I`m so sorry for all that you have lost. I know you are a very strong person and will get through this. Plus I`m sure that something really good will come out of this pain your going through.

Dan

[1969z280]

Mark,

May God bless you and your family.

[budnate]

Dam Mark, really sorry to read this ... you have friends all over this country, drop a line if I can help.

B.

[1970Ls6]

I am sorry for the loss of your house and your pet. If you need any help from down in the southeast missouri area, let me know.

[SuperNovaSS]

Mark,


I am very sorry to hear about this. We have never met but I have always appreciated your input on this site and you seem to be a great guy. I will try to learn from this and take precautions to make this easier if it ever happens to me. I'm glad to hear you have insurance. Hopefully they will take care of you every way possible.


Jason

[Verne_Frantz]

Mark,
I'm extremely sorry and sad to hear this news. Thank goodness you're ok. I wish there was something I could do to help.
Keep in touch.

Verne

[Plowman]

That is sorry to here.

[COPO PETE]

Wow. So sorry Mark. That just sucks. Hoping for the best for you.
Peter

[rubbinisracing]

Mark,

Like others have said, we have never met but your input has always been thoughful and welcomed. My condolences on the news of your loss. There is not much worse than hearing/watching someone that you care about suffer your type of loss and being unable to help. If there is something, even what seen very trivial, that we can do to help, please let us know. I will be praying for you and hope that soon, some rays of sunshine will penetrate the dark clouds overhead.

Howard

[Postsedan]

Hi Howard,

Hope you are doing well. Hope to see you at 2012 MCACN`s.
Keep in touch.

Dan

[TimG]

Mark, I'm sorry to hear about your loss, I'm glad you made it out of the house okay.

[markjohnson]

Here is what's left of my life.

[Postsedan]

WOW! That`s scary. Mark you are so lucky to be okay. My heart goes out to you.

Dan

[SS427]

Very lucky Mark! One breath of the wrong toxins and you could have been a dead man so fortunately you only got the nasty smoke. You did what you had to do to try and save your pet. Most of us pet owners would have done the very same thing. Let us know what we can do to help. Do they have any idea what started the fire?

[396L35]

Thanks to all for caring and wanting to help:
I talked to Mark J. today and told him I am getting a ton of request for donations and where to go. Mark said he wasn't looking for any handouts but if someone felt the need to donate he would appreciate the gifts. He also wanted to make sure that this wouldn't effect his insurance claim for the house plus he doesn't have a computer so he wanted me to use my paypal account and transfer the money to him. So if there is anyone that wanted to donate my account is [email protected] send it as a gift, I will give him the funds and a receipt from the sender to Mark J. Thanks, Mark M.

[Stefano]

Wow....just saw this.

Very sorry for your loss.

[396L35]

If you send a donation just leave a little message on what site you belong too because Mark is a member on the HAMB and it is posted over there as well. Thanks for all that have gave so far, Mark really is moved by all the love that he is seeing from everyone in his tough time. Thanks and God bless you all.

[talwell]

Mark,

Being that Mark does not have a computer - I have an extra laptop computer I could donate to him as I am sure right now having a computer would probably be one of the most helpful tools in finding his way to recovery.

Let me know how I can get it to him.

-Todd

[enio45]

mark, very sorry to hear about this - glad your still alive and with us. Ill send out a donation as well

[mockingbird812]

DONE! All the best wishes to you and yours Mark. I am grateful that you are still with us. Keep us posted.

[mssl72]

Wow! I'm really sorry to hear about your loss Mark.

[Schonyenko2]

Rick is right on. Very bad stuff when furniture catches fire.
Very sorry for your loss. I too would be interested in the cause.

[Paul_S]

Sorry to hear of your loss Mark and wish you the best moving forward.

Paul

[markjohnson]

Wow. I am truly overwhelmed and humbled by the support and generosity from this site. It's probably a good thing that I;m typing this because you guys have put such a giant emotional knot in my throat where I can't even talk right now and am typing this with blurry eyes. You guys are the best. The Best! And once I get recovered (if), I will remember each and every one of you. Til then, you guys are in my heart of hearts and I WON'T ever forget this. Thanks and God bless you all. Mark

[Postsedan]

Mark, your in our HEARTS! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif

Dan

[bluel78]

Sorry to hear about this. Other than bad health, this is one of the worst things that could happen. Did they figure out the cause? I've seen this happen a lot. I've learned a rubber made container with weight on top in a basement closet does pretty good against small fires and water damage. The weight keeps the container from floating and tipping over when the water rises. The closet helps because they usually have sheet rock on the inside and out which helps resist fire. Around here the red cross is a big help in giving you shelter and food until the insurance kicks in. It sounds like you have some great friends and family to speed up the recovery. Dustin

[PeteLeathersac]

Take all the help friends offer you w/ thanks and you'll definately recover Mark, no ifs about it!.
I went through a house fire a few years ago and best advice is your insurance is for this exact reason so don't feel bad about using it!.
Please feel free to message me anytime if you need the experienced view, or even just a friendly car talk too!.


<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
~ Pete

[scuncio]

Mark, I just saw this post and don't know what to say. What a horrible deal to have to go through. Wishing you the best and I hope everyone reading this thread makes a small gesture to get your funds kick started.

[Tommy]

Mark, I'm very sorry to hear about your home. I am glad you are okay most of all and you are in my prayers.


Tommy <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

[wheelhop]

Mark,
Just saw this post and am very sorry to hear of your loss.
Parts are just parts, glad you're alive and hanging in there.

Jim

[bbbenny]

Mark, I just read the post! Just glad you weren;t hurt or killed. If you weren;t so far away. I;d help out with your rebuilding of youp place!Regards Benny

[396L35]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bbbenny</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Mark, I just read the post! Just glad you weren;t hurt or killed. If you weren;t so far away. I;d help out with your rebuilding of youp place!Regards Benny </div></div>

Maybe you can come n for about 6 months Benny... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/youguysrock.gif

[NovaMob03]

Sorry to hear this too, Mark.I hope your ins co totals it &amp; you get to rebuild fresh and add a 6 car garage. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
For those that don't keep a bank safe deposit box for titles &amp; doc's, Home Depot sells a fire proof box for about $40...maybe not the best, but better than having nothing

[396L35]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NovaMob03</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sorry to hear this too, Mark.I hope your ins co totals it &amp; you get to rebuild fresh and add a 6 car garage. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
For those that don't keep a bank safe deposit box for titles &amp; doc's, Home Depot sells a fire proof box for about $40...maybe not the best, but better than having nothing </div></div>

Jude,
It was destroyed and I keep telling Mark just to rebuild it the way he wants. Im glad someone else thinks the same way I do and maybe it will sink in...

[NovaMob03]

I'm a big fan of the Carolina/low country/craftsman style home with nice porch &amp; metal roof. This architect in Bufort SC has a few plans that might be worth a look. I'm gonna build one when I relocate back to the coast.

http://www.allisonramseyarchitect.com/planbook.cfm

probably my favorite...a modest 1800 sf with LR/kitchen combo and open ceiling
http://www.allisonramseyarchitect.com/show_plan.cfm?idnum=94

[markjohnson]

Until I can find the time to send out individual PM's and E-Mails to so many of you, I want to extend my absolute sincerest gratitude to everyone and anyone for their support and generosity during this terrible time in my life. You guys have shown me the good side of human beings in my darkest hour when I needed it the most and have changed me forever as a human being. I will NEVER forget what you guys did for me and I welcome the opportunity to someday help each and every one of you. Special thanks to Mark Milchak and his wife Amy who have been such pillars of support to me. Without them and my family, I really, really don't know what would have happened to me. Let me tell 'ya . . . . I know we can bicker back &amp; forth on some really stupid shit sometimes on this site but in the end, when one of our own needs genuine care &amp; support (me, in this case), all that petty stuff gets instantly forgotten about and everybody steps up to the plate to help out each other. Because of this . . . . I am very proud to be a member of the SYC. God bless you all. Mark Johnson

[Postsedan]

God has Blessed me for having you as a friend. My next visit down, I`m buying. Hope to see you then.

Dan