Fund set up to help elderly Bridgewater fire victim

BRIDGEWATER, Maine — A local woman is lucky to be alive, following a fire Feb. 10 that destroyed her home and claimed the lives of her pets.
“We received the call around 2:08 a.m. of a fire at 281 Bootfoot Road. We were on scene about four hours, with 33 firefighters from four fire departments, including: Bridgewater, Monticello, Mars Hill and Centreville, N.B.,” said Bridgewater Fire Chief Troy Bradstreet.
Bradstreet said one firefighter sustained a hand injury and the occupant, an elderly lady, was transported to The Aroostook Medial Center. The cause remains under investigation.
“The Fire Marshal’s Office continues to investigate. The resident, Luise Landnusser, was transported to TAMC for treatment as a result of the fire,” said Tim Lowell, an investigator with the Fire Marshal’s Office.
The home was a total loss. Bradstreet was uncertain if the home was insured.
Neighbor Allison Wheeler and her husband, Mitch, have established a gofundme.com account to assist their elderly neighbor.
“In the early morning hours of Feb. 10, Mitch and I were awakened by the dog barking. As we came down the stairs, out our picture window we saw our elderly neighbor’s house almost completely engulfed in flames. We were panicked thinking she was in her home but to our relief and amazement she was in our garage knocking on our door. She was completely covered in soot, could barely speak and breath and had only a pair of mismatched slippers and an old coat on,” said Allison Wheeler.
Wheeler said within minutes the entire house was completely engulfed in flames.
“She tried to get her pets out but was unsuccessful. The house, which was a converted potato house, is a total loss,” she said.
Wheeler said her neighbor lived “a simple life.”
“Luise is in her 80s and for the last 20 years has lived a simple life on the Bootfoot Road. She is stubborn and independent, but most of all proud. She would never expect anything for free and would certainly not want a hand out of any kind. Our goal is to get a plan in place for her so she can resume her life on the land she loves. She has nothing,” said Wheeler. “We are looking for donations to help secure a small building we can put on the site for her to live.”
Wheeler said as a woman who survived World War II in Germany and worked most of her life in New York City at a hotel, Luise is not afraid of hard work or hard times.
“As a community, I am hopeful we can take the burden from her and help her as much as possible. Cash donations of any amount add up quick. We have set up an account at www.gofundme.com/m4f3iw to help her recover. If you’re not comfortable paying by credit card online, Mitch and I would be more than happy to take a check and post the donation for you in the account where you’ll be able to see it,” she said.
Wheeler said Luise is in need of all necessities, since she lost everything in the fire.
The Wheelers have been busy over the past week, visiting Luise, who was transferred to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, and brainstorming ideas for affordable housing for their neighbor. The couple have talked with others on the possibility of purchasing a 12-by-24-foot building, possibly from the Amish, which would be insulated and equipped with electrical and interior walls for about $7,500.
“We’ll then need to put in a kitchen, bathroom fixtures, a heating source, light fixtures and connect water and electric. She has a usable septic tank and well, so that is very helpful. She had no running water and had a terrible time keeping her home heated. The home she lived in was small — enough room for her and her pets,” said Wheeler. “She just did not have the water connected.”
Wheeler said the hope is to have some of the labor and materials donated.
“We strongly feel that we can do everything needed and get her in her new home for around $10,000,” she said.
Wheeler provided an update on her Facebook page, indicating Luise was doing better.
“Just got some great news. The (breathing) tube has been removed and Luise is awake — still groggy but is talking. She is under strict instructions from my husband to listen to the doctors,” said Wheeler.
She noted that Luise will be leaving the hospital to stay with family for a while.
“She will be heading to New Jersey with her daughter to finish her recovery and give us some time to get her all situated here,” said Wheeler.
Fund-raising efforts are still underway, nearing the goal of $10,000. As of Tuesday, Feb. 17, $7,033 had been raised on the gofundme.com account.
“I have another $400 to post to the account. We are getting so close to our goal!” said Wheeler.
Wheeler expressed gratitude to all who’ve donated.
“We are so very thankful for all who’ve donated. If you have not done so yet, please remember that every dollar counts. Donations add up fast. Please continue to pray for Luise for a full recovery as well as prayers of guidance for my husband and me. There are lots of decisions to be made and we want to utilize every penny to benefit Luise the most. This past week was one of the toughest I have faced in a long time. It tested my faith, it made me turn to my faith, but most of all, it strengthened my faith — God is good all the time,” said Wheeler.