Fire Destroys Family's Home in Westville

It just keeps getting worse for a family in Westville. A fire destroyed the Hilgendorf's mobile home at Country Aire Mobile Home Park. It left a father of four severely burned. And, the family doesn't have insurance. "It was awful," says the parks property manager Betty Hawley, who saw the fire first-hand. But firefighters say thats often the case with mobile home fires. They catch quicker and are harder to put out because of the cheaper material theyre made of. "It was going pretty good when we got here," says Westville Fire Chief Gary Wright. "There was a lot of flame and black smoke. Family members say a space heater caught a blanket on fire. Now everything is a total loss. "It didn't take us long to get there," Wright says. "But when we get the call and you walk outside of the station and see it you're already fighting a losing battle." Family members say the mother Beth and four boys ages 18 months to six-years-old made it out okay. But the father Mark got hurt while trying to save the dog that died in the fire. "She hollered that the dog was in there," Hawley says. But it was too late for the dog." Hawley says the blaze is the worse thing she's seen in years. "I almost cried," she said. "When I first saw it I thought, goodness gracious that's awful. Then when I seen how bad it was I thought they've lost everything." Family members say Mark Hilgendorf is in stable condition tonight, but he's staying in the hospital. His mother Mary Hilgendorf says he has second and third degree burns on his hands and face. But friends are greatful he made it out alive. "Thankful," Hawley says when she thinks about what could have happend. "Very thankful because they are nice family a very nice family." Neighbors are already dropping off donations for the family. To donate visit the Old National Bank in Danville or call (217) 721-1712.