His home was a total loss from a New Year’s Day blaze that destroyed his cottage at 2803 Pat Drive. Even his pickup truck parked nearby was undriveable, said Screws.
“I’ve lost 99 percent of everything I own,” he said.
Capt. John Stowell with the Belton Fire Department said the alarm came in at about 2 p.m. and the home was fully involved in flames when units arrived about 10 minutes later.
Stowell said the likely cause of the fire was a wood-burning stove in the northeast corner of the structure.
When the fire was tapped out at about 3:50 p.m., firefighters entered the structure to check for bodies. Stowell said none were found and no pets were found.
A young orange tomcat was in the side yard playing fearlessly among the fire hoses as firemen fought the blaze.
Neighbors told police and firefighters they saw Screws leave early in the day with a friend.
Screws returned at 5 p.m. with Bob Lott of Pendleton to find his house destroyed.
He said when he left at 10 a.m. the fire in the woodstove had burned down to embers and he did not restoke it. He said he also shut the electricity off. Screws said he does not customarily lock his front door.
“I’m thinking a friend may have dropped by to visit, found me gone and restoked the woodstove because it was cold in the house,” Screws said. “That thing gets cherry red hot if you put too much wood in. I’m thinking if that happened and it got out of control whoever was here would have run.”
Screws said going through the ruins he did not find the bodies of a mother cat and some kittens.
“If I had found them in here I would know for sure someone had been here,” he said. “They were all outside when I left, but if someone goes inside the house they will follow.”
Seeing news items on TV about people losing their homes to fire is commonplace, said Screws.
“I just never dreamed it would happen to me. Now it’s my time,” he said ruefully.
Screws said the thought of starting over is painful. He may remove the ruins and rebuild with a masonary house if the city will issue the permit.
“They can be cantankerous,” he said.
A Red Cross representative called Screws on a neighbor’s cell phone while he surveyed the charred remains of his home.
“I don’t know yet if they are putting me up for tonight,” he said. “I’ll know later.”
Elaine Carrascu said her family has known Screws since she was 4 years old.
“He is real kindhearted and helps all his neighbors – especially young people, good or bad.”
Ms. Carrascu said Screws has lived in the house for more than 40 years.
He loves cats,” said Isabella Salazar. “He feeds all the strays in the neighborhood.”
Screws confirmed that the orange tom is his. He said the cats will have to find shelter on their own during the expected hard freeze Tuesday night – likely in the well house.
Ms. Salazar said for years Screws had the only deep well on the block and he shared the water with his neighbors allowing them to tap into it before the city brought water to the neighborhood.
Screws said he is grandfathered for the continued use of his well. He said he still shares it with two neighbors.
Lott, the friend who accompanied Screws to look for arrowheads, said he has known Screws for 30 years.
“You can’t find a better friend around,” he said.
Lott said his family would help Screws find temporary shelter and help him rebuild.
Stowell said the Belton Fire Department responded with a ladder truck, two engine trucks and two emergency medical vehicles.
Six Belton firefighters were assisted by seven volunteers, he said.
The one block long street is situated on the east side of Interstate 35 at the Loop 121 exit across from the La Quinta Hotel.
hclark@temple-telegram.com
