Prologue.
TEN DEAD IN TRAGIC FIRE
We are deeply grieved to inform the community of a disastrous fire. On Wednesday the 18th, at around 6 pm, farmer Terry Nation looked out of his kitchen and was startled to see a large plume of black smoke arising from Gallifrey Hill, where his neighbors the Smiths lived.
"I immediately called the fire department…ain't never seen such smoke rising from that hill. I knew straightaway somethin' was wrong," the farmer shared. "And then I ran over there myself… but even I could see it was too late."
Gallifrey House was, at the time William and Patricia Smith purchased it, one of the oldest houses in Dorset. But far greater than the loss to the Bebec Historical Preservation Society is the horrific discovery the firefighters made at the site; after clearing the flames, they found the charred bodies of ten of the thirteen Smiths.
Evidently the house's internal structure had collapsed, making it impossible for them to escape. While the firefighters were gently lifting the remains out of the ashes, three little boys came running out of the woods. It was the three youngest Smith boys, Nigel, Declan, and Elliot. They had been off playing a game, blissfully unaware of the tragic events that were unfolding about a mile away.
"It was awful," recalled Ace Landon, one of the firefighters at the scene. "Seeing their faces…I'll never forget it."
The entire town of Bebec was hit very hard by the devastating news. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were an important, if eclectic, addition to the town's lifestyle, and their eleven sons were loved all over the town for their charming personalities and energetic antics.
"I…I just can't believe they're gone," said Miss Tremlett, who had taught all eleven of the boys at some stage of their schooling. "Such clever boys…almost too clever for their own good, really. But they had such promise. Thierry and Forest were both studying to be doctors, you know. I was…I was hoping at least one would settle here…be the town doctor…oh, it breaks my heart, it does."
A trust fund has been set up for the surviving boys, all of whom are destined for foster care. Nigel age ten, expressed a desire to keep the brothers together, but unfortunately there were no homes that would accept all three brothers. The purpose of this fund, then, is to allow the brothers to keep in contact with each other, and visit from time to time.
We here at Bebec Daily would like to extend our deepest sympathies to these brave brothers, and we ask our readers to please consider donating to such a worthy cause. The happiness of three orphans may depend on it.
To be Continued.