Armstrong family loses home and belongings to fire
By Tim Mitchell
Saturday December 27, 2008
Heather Coit
Tara Van Ostrand, center, smooths her 4-year-old son Trent's hair as the rest of their family make the most of their situation at the Days Inn in Rantoul on Friday. The family, including Thomas, far left, Tessa, 9, Tayla, background left, 13, her friend Taylor Thompson, 14, and Tyler Van Ostrand, 16, hang out in one of two rooms they are staying in since a fire destroyed their home this past Tuesday. Underwear and storage bins, to hold each person's belongings, and stuffed animals for Trent, were just some of the new purchases made that day.
ARMSTRONG – An Armstrong family is staying in a Rantoul motel after their home and possessions were destroyed by a fire this week.
"It's bad enough to lose everything, but having this happen at Christmas makes it even worse," said Thomas Van Ostrand, whose home burned down on Dec. 23. "What a way to spend Christmas."
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