April 27, 2023 was a typical day for the Bunn family. Casey was attending a local event and her husband, Colin, and their son, Charlie, eight years old at the time, had gone to play baseball. Their daughter, Jillian, ten years old at the time, was out riding horses.
When Casey drove back to their Hanover home at the end of the day, she wasn’t prepared for what she would see. Her son’s room was engulfed in fire. She called 911 immediately.
”I knew I was calling to the Hanover switchboard and the call went out to all the firefighter community that we know,” says Casey, explaining that Colin has been with the Hanover Fire Department for sixteen years and serves as lieutenant in the department.
Casey wanted to try and rescue the family’s pets from the back of the house, but the fire was spreading too fast. Firefighters showed up on the scene within minutes.
“They were there so fast. I ran back around toward the front of the house and called Colin to tell him. He jumped in his car and drove to the house,” Casey says.
Sadly, the family’s dogs and cats passed away in the fire. “It was so bad inside. The firefighters were so kind. They were amazing to watch. It was also amazing to watch what my husband does,” Casey says. “I have always known they are heroic.”
Because of Colin’s job, the family is used to hearing about fires but “it’s different when it happens to you. We are standing there in shock,” Casey says.
Colin’s family was his biggest concern. “I knew my kids and my wife were safe,” he says.
As a seasoned veteran of the department, Colin has a great deal of perspective on fires. “We show up on people’s worst day,” he says, noting that he tells young firefighters, “I hope that I never have to go to another fire again. If I do, I hope that I can be aggressive [in putting out the fire] and help people.”
After the fire, volunteers from the community stepped in with everything from clothing to personal necessities. The community also started a Go Fund Me account. “They were all so good to us,” Casey says. “When I look back, I am so grateful for the flood of love that was coming out from everywhere. We were going to be fine. We had each other, and we knew that God would take care of us.”
Casey’s Book, Above the Ashes, Will Help Educate Families on Fire Safety
On October 21, from 5 to 8 p.m., Casey is giving back to the Hanover community through an event at Hardywood Park Brewery West Creek for the launch of Above the Ashes, a children’s book she authored that was inspired by the experience of losing their home, possessions, and pets in last year’s devastating fire. The book is published by KWE Publishing.
This event, which goes beyond just a book launch, aims to educate families on the critical importance of fire safety and prevention.
Casey began writing the book in November 2023 after the family had gone through family therapy. “The counselor said to talk about it. It’s hard to know what to say to your kids. How much is too much or too little,” she says. “We wanted to help them speak about their fears and feelings.”
When her daughter talked about the fire, she told her mom that she saw evil in the fire. Casey wanted to help kids address their fears in a healthy way. “You don’t have to be afraid. That’s not just a message for children, it’s for adults too,” she says.
She wrote the book in one sitting on an airplane trip to Phoenix in November 2023.
“When I landed, I looked at all the beautiful things and said thank you to God for giving me the words to help children address their fears. I wrote the book to bring light and hope,” she says.
Last December, she hired Elsa Linsky of Oahu, Hawaii, to illustrate the book. “Obviously the Maui fires were pretty recent, and she wanted the opportunity to bring light out of darkness to kids,” Casey says.
Book Launch Event to Thank Firefighters and Hanover Community
The book also includes a page spotlighting the firefighters that helped the Bunn family during the fire, which was drawn by aspiring illustrator, 16-year-old Bridget George. In order for the book to have a bigger impact, Casey decided to launch it this month to put an emphasis on Fire Prevention Month.
The event on October 21st will also be an opportunity for families to learn more about fire prevention and fire safety. The Virginia Department of Fire Programs is bringing firefighters, and kids will have the opportunity to meet and interact with firefighters and participate in giveaways with VDFP. Sparky the Fire Dog will also be roaming about via a remote control race car.
Families and children will have the opportunity to use a digital fire extinguisher to practice putting out fires without using real fire extinguishers, and food trucks will be available for families to purchase food and drinks.
Expert speakers will be on hand to provide valuable tips on fire prevention and family insurance must-knows. In addition, there will be live firefighter gear demonstrations. Kids will have the chance to meet fire and emergency medical services heroes. There will also be face painting, a photo booth, and a coloring station.
The Bunn family will read Above the Ashes during the event. Richmond Flying Squirrels mascots, Nutzy and Natasha, will be making a special appearance, joining the family during the book reading.
All the proceeds of the event benefit Victory Junction, she adds. “They provide adventure camps for children with special medical conditions, including a camp specifically for children who have been burned. It’s really special what they offer. I’m excited to work with them.”
Since the fire, Casey and her family have gained a new perspective on life. “I realized life is short, and you only get to live once,” she said. “Kindness is a gift, and God is good. Be good to others because you never know what someone is going through.”
The family will be moving into their new home later this year with two new puppies and cats.
“The fire has given us more than it’s taken,” Casey says. “It’s given us more than we knew we needed.”
For more information about the event or the book, go to abovetheashesbook.com or email abovetheashesbook@gmail.com.
