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Two-Story Motel Partially Collapses After Explosion

Aired June 27, 2006 - 13:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: A powerful blast, huge damage. A two-story motel in ruins in northern Georgia. At least one person is unaccounted for.
CNN's David Mattingly is at the scene near Bremen, near the Alabama line.

DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: No word on the cause yet, Kyra, but I've been talking to people who were inside, guests who were inside the hotel at the time of the explosion. They say it happened about 8:30 this morning. There was a loud boom. Some of them thought that the building was hit by lightning, but as they walked outside, they realized that was not the case. They looked around. They saw a lot of smoke. They saw fire. They saw the back end of the building portions of that wall had been blown out, and a large portion of that roof in the back of the building had also collapsed.

At this point, there's no official determination on the cause. I want to emphasize that, Kyra, but guests at this hotel, one couple say they were staying about three doors down from where this blast seemed to occur. And it appears that this explosion occurred near or in the laundry room of the hotel.

And, Kyra, if you want to bear with me for a moment, we have to zoom in a bit to the hotel right now to that back corner, where you can see the corner of the roof that has collapsed. At this point, just in the last few minutes, we have noticed a substantial decrease in the amount of smoke and steam that's been rising from this building. That is a good sign, indicating that the fire has been put down, and that soon a search-and-rescue operation may be able to take place. There are specialized crews coming in here from Atlanta with specialized equipment so they can go into that debris to shore up walls, to lift up heavy items and to look for the one person that has been not been accounted for, and that would be an employee, a maintenance worker at this hotel -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, David Mattingly, thanks so much.

(NEWSBREAK)

PHILLIPS: Straight ahead, shopping for new wheels. One auto company is renewing its plan to save customers some money now that it's facing hard times.

The news keeps coming. We'll keep bringing it to you. More LIVE FROM next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Well, if you think one ordinary person can't make a difference, we found a person who will change your mind.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I work three jobs, go to school, have four kids, three foster kids, and nine animals. And I'm a waitress.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: That's right, this waitress put together enough kits to build an entire village. Find out how she did it, later on LIVE FROM.

(BUSINESS HEADLINES)

PHILLIPS: Billionaire giving billions. It was our lead story yesterday, Warren Buffett announcing his riches will go to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. But if you think this kind of generosity comes only from the rich, meet this woman.

That's Barbara Gilbert. She's the woman in the pink cap. She's a single mom with four kids, and a foster parent to homeless children. She's a waitress working three jobs, and she's built an entire village for the poor in Jamaica.

Barbara Gilbert joins me live from Jacksonville.

Barbara, I tell you what, we read about this story, we had to talk to you. What the heck inspired you?

BARBARA GILBERT, BUILT VILLAGE IN JAMAICA: Well, the people inspired me. But I heard a telethon on the radio and they were raising the money for the poor in Jamaica to build houses, and I thought, well, I'll just donate $20. And by the end of the day, I decided to donate an entire house out of my money.

So I called the radio station and I said are you still taking donations? And they said, well, the telethon's over. And I said I want to buy an entire house. And they said what's your name? So I just pretended my rent went up $200 month, and they get $206.84 out of my bank account, and I've now paid for two-and-half houses out of my own bank account. Two of them are in that village. And I'll do that for the rest of my life. So that's how it all got staretd.

PHILLIPS: Now, Barbara, you don't even own your own home.

GILBERT: No.

PHILLIPS: I was reading that at some point you were even homeless yourself.

GILBERT: Yes.

PHILLIPS: Did that influence what you wanted to do here? It seems like you're always thinking so much about other people and never yourself.

I think we lost our connection. We're going to try and get that satellite connection back up with Barbara Gilbert, because we don't want you to miss this story. She's an incredible woman with an amazing tale to tell, and she's making a tremendous difference in Jamaica. So we'll try to get her back and continue her story.

We're going to take a quick break. More LIVE FROM right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: All right. Back to Jacksonville, Florida, now, and the amazing Barbara Gilbert. We apologize about the loss of connection there.

Barbara, we were talking about this village in Jamaica that you have spent so much time raising money for. Now it's -- the ribbon cutting has happened, the kids are in the home. It's like a brand-new experience for them. And you were talking about how you heard about this promotion on the radio. How did you gather all the money for this village?

GILBERT: Well, I went to Jamaica to see where my money was going. And I came back from my trip to Jamaica and I'm a waitress and I just started telling people about the poor people of Jamaica. My customers are like family to me, and they would ask how was my trip, and I'd tell them the story. And they suggested I put up a box up by the register at the Beach Hut (ph) cafe where I work.

And customers starting putting their change and their dollar bills in, and then a newspaper did a story and this brought in some larger donations. And then I did a fundraiser, Reggae for Hope, and some reggae artists, including Max-a-Million out of Chicago, who's from Jamaica came in and for free gave up their time and talents. And we had a silent auction, we raised money there. So...

PHILLIPS: Now, Barbara, let me -- I asked you this before we went to break, when we lost the connection with you. You've never even owned your own home, you work three jobs, you got four kids, you've been a foster parent to homeless kids, you've got nine pets, you're going to school. Why are you doing this?

GILBERT: It's all about love. I think that we're all put here and we're really all part of one big family, and our struggles are there to share. If I'm a little bit stronger, I'm supposed to help the next person and help them carry their burdens.

And after being in Jamaica for a few minutes, I saw -- I was just shocked by what I was seeing, and it's that way in third world countries all over the world. And I feel guilty being at home. And I have enough materially to last me for the rest of my life, and I don't have a lot.

And if I -- I mean, I could spend my whole life and spend $107,000, and buy maybe myself a house sometime in my lifetime on waitress pay, or I could put 50 families in a home that have never had a home. And I would rather put 50 families in a home that never had a home, because at least I have shelter, and I think everyone deserves some type of shelter.

PHILLIPS: Barbara, let's look at the ribbon cutting, the day that the village opened up. Let's take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GILBERT: Now can I cut?

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: How did that feel?

GILBERT: It felt awesome. I mean, I'm that type of person. I get excited, and this is something that I've worked very, very hard on for nearly three years. And I'm in love with the people over there, and it's something I'm very, very passionate about it, and I just wanted to scream.

PHILLIPS: And you did.

GILBERT: And so I did. And I gave lots of hugs, and they gave me lots of hugs, and there were lots of tears. And I really didn't want to leave, but I needed to get back here, because this is how I make a difference in their lives, because I come back, and I'm excited, and I tell their story, and more people want to get involved.

And then we can build that many more houses, and the house is the first step in giving people hope. You have the shelter, and you have safety, and you have a home for your children and family members, and then you can go from there, because the house is theirs.

Once we pay for the house, they own it, they own the land that's it's on, they have collateral. They can go to the bank and get a loan, and maybe start a little business or a farm or whatever they need to do, it's step number one.

PHILLIPS: Well, your kids have jumped in and helped you as well. Tell me how they have reacted to this and how they're supporting you?

GILBERT: Well, each one of them is doing their own thing. Steven (ph), my youngest son, has gone with me for the past two years, and has fallen in love with the poor. He just got through graduating from Poolsell (ph), and he has a degree in computers and video game designs, so his whole passion is getting involved with some of the young people down there, and ...

PHILLIPS: And your daughters as well?

GILBERT: My daughter's an artist, and so she's like my biggest supporter. She's here with me today. My oldest son is a soccer coach, and in fact, his girls just won the state cup, and they're headed to Arkansas tomorrow.

And his whole soccer team has decided -- my newest project since I got back this time is, I want to supply soccer balls to every poor child in Jamaica and build a soccer complex and we've got the land, there's even some dilapidated soccer stuff there and in Ellersly (ph), which is -- we have got the land. There's even some dilapidated soccer goals there.

We just need soccer balls and half the kids in America play soccer and have an old ball they don't want, so I'm taking them, and I'm sending them. And so my son's soccer team is spearheading this, and his girls on his team while getting ready to go to regionals and represent Florida, have been sending me all their soccer balls, their uniforms, their cleats, their shin guards, and it has overtaken one room of my house.

PHILLIPS: Barbara, where does this spirit come from? Where does this come from? Where do you get this energy? Who was it that said, give back? Who was it that inspired you to be this way?

GILBERT: God. He gave me a mission, and I'm not a regular church-goer, I mean, I work on Sundays, I'm in the restaurant business. But when I was in Jamaica, a priest, Father Paul (ph), who is leading our pilgrimage said you're going to build a village, and I'm going to be there to dedicate it, and he was there when we broke ground last year, and we all cried. And he was there this year by my side. He was the man in blue that was blessing the village.

PHILLIPS: Barbara ...

GILBERT: And that's where it comes from, is from the heart.

PHILLIPS: And I got to plug the Web site. Feedthepoor.org, people can get involved, they can donate -- Foodforthepoor, rather is the Web side, foodforthepoor.org. And you can donate, you can get involved, you can help Barbara make this village even bigger.

You're amazing, Barbara, and I understand you're a honors student at the University of North Florida, 3.6. You're an ...

GILBERT: Right, criminal justice.

PHILLIPS: You're an amazing inspiration. I can't wait to see what's next. Thanks for being with us, Barbara.

GILBERT: Well, thank you. Have a great day.

PHILLIPS: All right, you too. I will. And once again, the Web site.

Well, she says that the author of the only dictionary that defines her, but at last glance -- Star Jones is who we're talking about now. She hasn't updated it to reflect the announcement that she made this morning. She's actually leaving "The View."

Sibila Vargas has the latest on this story that's been inspiring a lot of speculation. What's going on, Sibila?

SIBILA VARGAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Well, definitely the world of daytime television was rocked today as it was announced on "The View," that it would be changing. Star Jones Reynolds is parting ways with the ABC talk show fest. Take a look at what she said today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STAR JONES, "THE VIEW": Something's been on my heart for a little bit, and after much prayer and counsel, I feel like this is the right time to tell you that the show's moving in another direction for its 10th season, and I will not be returning as co-host next year.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VARGAS: After nearly a decade as co-host on the popular show, Reynolds has decided to move on. The lawyer and best-selling author issued the following statement, "I spent an amazing nine years as part of 'The View' family, and they have been the most professionally and personally years of my life. Through it all, I have appreciated the support of my family, my friends, and most importantly the viewers, and I'm incredibly grateful for all of the love that they have been showing to me. 'The View' is now moving in a new direction and I will not be returning this fall, but wherever I go, I will carry a lifetime of memories with me. Thank you all so much for your invaluable love and support."

Now, her departure comes right out on the heels of saying good- bye to Meredith Vieira and the announcement that Rosie O'Donnell will be joining the Emmy Award-winning series. There has been a lot of speculation and rumors swirling that Reynolds is not thrilled out O'Donnell joining the table, and is not happy about the direction the program is taking.

The comedian, who is openly gay, has been one of Reynolds' most outspoken critics. Now, according to "People" magazine, the departure was not her choice, and she told the publication, quote, "What you don't know is that my contract was not renewed for the 10th season. I feel like I was fired." That's Star Jones.

Star Jones Reynolds will be leaving "The View" next month. Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck will be back on the Barbara Walters created talk show, and O'Donnell will be joining the ladies in September.

Kyra, I was actually on the show as one of the co-hosts, and I will tell you, they are amazing women, but even back then -- this is about three years ago, I felt a little bit of tension, so -- but after nine years, you know, working with the same people, it's bound to happen. Changes happens.

PHILLIPS: They sure do. All right. Sibila, thanks so much.

Well, the countdown is on, but Discovery's weekend plans depends on the weather. Check out how the crew is preparing. The news keeps coming, we'll keep bringing it to you. The next hour of LIVE FROM starts in two minutes.

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