CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Tom Poe and John Godar were neighbors in Gatlinburg. Both of their cabins were destroyed by wildfires that swept through the area. Wednesday evening, both men were trying to come to terms with the fact that two teenagers were charged with setting the fires that killed 14 people and injured many others.
"I was speechless. I didn't know what to say," Poe said. "I would like to think whoever they are they certainly didn't mean to wind up burning half the county down and killing 14 people now."
A statue of a bear was the only thing that survived the fire at Poe's home. He and his wife lost several items that have sentimental value including a shelale that his grandfather brought to the United States from Ireland. Poe spent the last week in Gatlinburg volunteering. He delivered supplies and donations to places where people needed them. Poe may rebuild his cabin but John Godar is still trying to decide whether he will rebuild the chalet his family rented to others. The home is filled with a lot of memories.
"It just makes you mad that people have died, people have lost property and I lost our house due to two kids doing this on purpose. It's very upsetting," Godar said.
While Poe and Godar have insurance, there are people in Gatlinburg who Poe said work two or three jobs. He said many of those people lost everything and he's concerned about what will happen to them.
"These are working people. These aren't people that sit around all day so I feel sorry for them. They didn't insure anything because it's not their property," Poe said.
