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Fire, Tragedy Strike ‘Container Business’ Couple

Nov 11, 2010

The home of Chuck and Margaret Frost, Findlay, Ohio, burned Wednesday and Margaret perished in the fire.  The Frosts operated a container business for many years through which Grace Brethren International Missions and ICDI shipped supplies to Africa. This is an excerpt from a Findlay, Ohio, news source. To read the entire article, click here.

Woman, 90, dies in blaze

By LINSEY MAUGHAN, Staff Writer

A 90-year-old woman died Wednesday afternoon as fire destroyed a northeast Findlay residence that for three decades had been home to three generations of one family.

Margaret Frost perished in the fire, while her husband, 89-year-old Chuck Frost, suffered burns and was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital by Hanco Emergency Medical Service. He was later transferred to St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo by ambulance, according to Hancock County Sheriff Michael Heldman.

The hospital released no information on his condition late Wednesday. No other injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire has not been determined, Heldman said.

The blaze at 5188 Hancock County 18, just north of Cass Township 213, was reported about 2:10 p.m. By 3:30 p.m. the fire had been extinguished and firefighters were searching the rubble of the two-story building. Margaret Frost’s body was found at 7:20 p.m.

The house contained four apartments and was owned by William and Marlene Barrett, who shared the downstairs with Marlene’s parents, the Frosts, whom they were taking care of.

Upstairs were two apartments, each occupied by a single male tenant, one of whom was Josh Barrett, son of William and Marlene. The second upstairs tenant was Bill Fredette.

William, Marlene and Josh were all at work at the time of the fire. Fredette also was not home.

UPDATE: Here are some personal reflections from Jim Hocking, CEO of ICDI:

Chuck (88 years old) is at the St Vincent Mercy Medical Center (burn care) room 165  phone  419-251-4743

This man has been a strong supporter of GBIM missions for years and I imagine over 20 containers were packed and shipped out of his small warehouse behind his house.   Countless hours of labor and countless hours of prayer by his wife Margaret who died in the fire.
On her wall next to her chair where she sat were the missionary cards and every day…morning and evening she prayed through the whole list and any requests that she knew of.   Always answered the phone but could do little else as she as paralyzed on one side from a stroke shortly after their return from a trip to Africa.
Chuck has been and is always a strong witness for Christ…he DOES NOT know a stranger and is always there to help and encourage anyone.