Investigators pin Prospect fire to bedroom but still seek cause

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While family members work to get back on their feet, fire investigators are searching for the cause of a fire that destroyed the Prospect home of Terry and John Cryts on Sunday.

Prospect Rural Fire Department Assistant Chief Greg Schaffer said the fire apparently started in a bedroom of the rented home. Insurance investigators continued to examine the scene today.

The fire, discovered at about 4:30 p.m. Sunday when barking dogs alerted the family, completely consumed the home at 17 First St., displacing the Cryts, two of their seven children, Terry's father, Alan Harris, and John's father, John Cryts. Only the two older men were at home when the fire broke out and they got out safely, as did the family's three dogs.

Terry Cryts, known as an organizer who helps with community events such as the parade at the Prospect Jamboree and Timber Carnival and upcoming Halloween festivities, said the family is staying at Union Creek Resort, where she works, and with friends. They have found another home to rent and hope to move in by the end of this week, she said.

"A lot of people are donating furniture and stuff," she said, noting that friends had taken her teenage daughter Jessica shopping so she would be ready to return to school.

The Cryts spent part of today in Medford meeting with the Red Cross and getting copies of needed paperwork, such as new driver's licenses and Social Security cards.

All proceeds from the weekly bingo game at the Prospect Community Center on Nov. 12 will go to the Cryts family, said Liz Steward, a family friend who is also active in the community.

"When something like this happens, the community just pulls together," she said.

— Anita Burke

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