SCOTT CITY RALLIES FOR FIRE VICTIMS

SCOTT CITY -- It's too late to save Norma and Adam Eads, but the residents of Scott City are coming to the aid of those who are left behind.

Norma Eads, 38, and her 3-year-old son Adam died Wednesday morning in a house fire that not only took their lives but destroyed all the family possessions.

Eight people, including Norma Eads' husband, Michael, their three surviving children and Norma Eads' parents, Norman and Mary Pulliam, lived in the wood frame house at 110 Cherry St.

Almost as soon as the fire was suppressed, and the scope of the tragedy was revealed, donations of money, clothing and food were being made by co-workers, neighbors and sympathetic residents.

Janice Oliver, the human resources manager at the local Supervalu, left the scene of the fire Wednesday morning and went straight to the Security Bank and Trust, in Scott City, where she opened a trust fund in the Eads' name. Oliver said she heard that neighbors had been asking what they could do to help.

The employees at Supervalu, where Michael Eads works as a janitor, have also been doing what they can. "The generosity of the employees here at the division has been just phenomenal," Oliver said. "We passed an envelope around and I think we have already collected about $500."

Oliver said the distribution company has been having a clothing drive as well. "We're kind of the drop site, we've taken charge of that you might say," she said.

Oliver said nine cases of food were delivered to the Pulliams and Eads Thursday. She added that the effort has not been limited to Scott City. "A man who owns a furniture warehouse said he was a fire victim at one time and knew what it involved. He wanted to know how he could help."

Oliver said she had heard that the family was given a mobile home to live in and area churches have been donating money toward the funeral arrangements.

Donna Amick, a teller at Security Trust, said donations to the fund have been active. "I'd say we have nearly $1,000 already," she said. "The response has been great."

Amick said donations began coming in the day of the fire. She said she'd handled about 10 callers Thursday who were interested in donating.

Norma and Adam Eads are set to be buried in the city cemetery. The Scott City Council has offered its support and the cost of the plots, $100 each, has been waived, said city clerk Nona Walls.

Walls said Mayor Jerry Cummins authorized the measure, the first time she can remember the city ever dismissing the plot fees.

"This is an unusual situation," Walls said. "It's a tragedy."

Fire Marshall Rod Hoelscher said Thursday that he had not determined the cause or origin of the fire. He said he was reviewing his notes and photographs of the scene.