An 82-year-old Dunedin man who lost almost all of his possessions in a Thanksgiving Day fire at his mobile home said he was told by firefighters that it broke out in the electrical box.



"They said it started in the (fuse) box in the back bedroom," said homeowner Forrest Van Voorst. "Went through the wall, clear up to the kitchen and then out into the house."

Neighbors took cell phone video of the fire that showed giant flames almost going over firefighters heads as they poured water on the home located at 321 Aristotle Street in Dunedin. Firefighters said the fire does not appear to be suspicious in nature.

Sarah Wells, 24, said she also lost all of her possessions in the fire. Wells said she had been taking care of Voorst, who goes by his middle name Van, because he suffers from benign essential tremors.

"He shakes, he can’t take care of a house," she said. "So, I lived with him to take care of his house."

Wells said she and Voorst were eating a Thanksgiving meal at her grandparents' home in Palm Harbor when the fire broke out around 2 p.m. Thursday afternoon.

"I was like thank God Van wasn’t there," she said. "I knew he wasn’t there, he was with my grandparents."

Voorst spent Friday afternoon going through the burnt out remains of his home and tried to salvage whatever items he could find.

"They even found a roll of my quarters," he said. "I can have supper tonight."

"Out of all of this, you’re taking a roll of quarters and being grateful," Wells said.

"That’s right," Voorst replied.

Voorst said his home is a total loss and he does not have any insurance.

"I’m just weak and tired because I couldn’t sleep last night," he said. "All I want them to know is I’m fine."

"He’s an 82-year-old man who had 56-years’ worth of memories in that house," Wells said. "A picture of his wife that is deceased."



Wells said she's going to live temporarily with a friend and Voorst is living in a hotel.

Voorst is a longtime member of the Curlew United Methodist Church in Palm Harbor. The church said anyone wishing to make donations can call (727)784-3424. The owner of the Palm Harbor House of Beer located at 34970 U.S. 19 N., said he's going to hold a raffle and donate a portion of the beer sales next Friday and Saturday to help Voorst.



Anyone who would like to drop off items for Voorst can also take them to r. salon located at 2454 N. McMullen Booth Rd. (Suite 403) in Clearwater. They are accepting household items, clothing, canned items, and monetary donations as well.

