we have all heard about it... some here have even witnessed it…
TRANSCRIPT
We have all heard about it..
Some here have even witnessed it…
Nobody ever wants to see it again..
It was just after midnight…
January 21st, 1991
And
Kona Kaiwas forever changed!
By a single event.
Fire!
It all started there!
It was called the “Octagon House”
Photo from “Carol Lehr”
An arson gone bad?
• Widely suspected, but never proved.
• They never collected any insurance either.
It could have been a single family dwelling fire.
That didn’t happen!
Why?• Lots of lumber
• Houses on pilings burn faster
• Propane tanks
• Trees and shrubs
• Boats & fuel tanks
• Houses with as little as 10’ between them
• High winds
• Fire fighting equipment problems
• Who knows?
Just imagine!
Being awaken from a dead sleep.
Only enough time to save your life.
No time to remove personal belongings.
Nothing!
Units starting arriving..
• From Port Bolivar• From Crystal Beach• From Gilchrist
And, for what some say is the first time ever, fire trucks were sent on
the ferry from Galveston.
Then the Coast Guard was dispatched.
They arrived, but not before turning into the canal at the bait camp in error first.
But they did arrive!
Photo from “The Bartula’s”
It was an overwhelming task.
Photo from “The Bartula’s”
To appreciate its horror, one would have had to be there.
Photo from “The Bartula’s”
Pilings ablaze…Houses GONE!
Photo from “The Bartula’s”
In the morning the aftermath was clear.
• The last pilings standing were the Ezzell’s
Photo from “Carol Lehr”
On one end, 1272 Boyt escapes.
Photo from “The Bartula’s”
On the other, 1238 Boyt barely escaped!
Photo from “Carol Lehr”
Between, destruction was total!
Photo from “Carol Lehr”
Simply nothing left.
Photo from “Carol Lehr”
Ezzell’s next morning, still smoldering.
Photo from: “W.C. Brister”
Close examination says it all.
Photo from “Carol Lehr”
Photo from “Carol Lehr”
Photo from “Carol Lehr”
Photo from “Carol Lehr”
Photo from “Carol Lehr”
From across the canal the view was sobering.
Photo from “The Bartula’s”
Ezzell’s 1st to rebuild.
Photo from “Carol Lehr”
For others, the process was slow.
Putting names and faces to those that suffered the loss
helps to keep us vigilant.
Homes consumed by the fire.
• Lot 30-31 1264 Boyt Ervin Fuslier
• Lot 32 1260 Boyt Modesto Robles
• Lot 33 1260 Boyt Carol Lehr
• Lot 34 1252 Boyt Thurman Rash
• Lot 35 1248 Boyt Thomas Kamas
• Lot 36 1244 Boyt Bill Ezzell
Ervin Fuslier
Carol Lehr
Carol Lehr
Carol Lehr
Thurman Rash
Do you have any of these missing pictures?
People• Ervin Fuslier• Modesto Robles• Thurmon Rash• Thomas Kamas• Bill Ezzell• Johnny Collins
Houses before the fire @• 1260 Boyt (Robles)• 1248 Boyt (Kamas)• 1244 Boyt (Ezzell)
If so, please contact Bill Settegast.
Who lives there today?
• Lot 30-31 1264 Boyt Jenkins
• Lot 32 1260 Boyt Gallien
• Lot 33 1260 Boyt Cope
• Lot 34 1252 Boyt Rash
• Lot 35 1248 Boyt Selvera
• Lot 36 1244 BoytKuykendall
Kona Kai donates, and encourages you to donate to:
• The Port Bolivar VFD
• The Crystal Beach VFD
The Kona Kai fire of ’91 is long behind us now.
It’s not our intention to dwell on it, but to learn from it.
If it seems that way, please forgive us.
Remember
When you see our Rules and Regulations
They have a history, a reason, and a purpose.
4.) General
• No open fires!
• No smudge pots!• No fireworks!
Thank you for your attention.
Be safe, and have a happy 4th of July!