Podcast Summary: The Unborn – Episode: "The Fire"
Introduction
In "The Fire," the first episode of The Unborn, hosted by iHeartPodcasts, listeners are introduced to Jared and Kristy Akron, a seemingly perfect young couple living in a small Pennsylvania town. With a recent wedding, a newly remodeled home, and the excitement of expecting twins, Jared and Kristy's life appears idyllic. However, a catastrophic event—the burning of their home—unravels a web of secrets, deception, and betrayal that challenges everything they once believed about their relationship and community.
The Fire Incident
The episode opens with a haunting recollection of the morning Jared’s house caught fire on December 6, 2020.
- Tricia Lafache: “The morning of December 6, 2020 was a day Jared will never forget because it was the day of the fire.” [00:03]
Jared narrates the harrowing moments leading up to the fire:
- Jared: “Christie, my wife ended up waking me up. I remember seeing smoke hovering above the bed. It was like a hazy, almost a fog looking smoke. It was see-through gray.” [00:10]
Despite his attempts to control the situation, Jared is overwhelmed by the rapid spread of the fire:
- Jared: “As soon as that smoke hit me, it was like there was nothing left to my lungs. I wanted to collapse.” [00:37]
Realizing the severity of the fire, Jared calls 911 but immediately notices Kristy and their dog Ada are missing:
- Jared: “When I shut the door to try to contain it, I run outside and when I go outside, her car's gone. Like, I'm like, where did she go?” [01:42]
Fire Department Response
The swift response of the local fire department provides critical insights into the incident.
- Tricia Lafache: “We spoke with the fire chief, Carl, along with Tyler, one of the firefighters from his house... This is Tyler.” [03:59]
Fire Chief Carl describes the intensity of the fire upon arrival:
- Carl: “I'd say it's about 75% involved.” [05:15]
Carl raises suspicions about the fire's rapid progression, hinting at possible accelerants:
- Carl: “Maybe there could have been an accelerant involved to make it progressive.” [05:32]
Further analysis suggests both natural and manmade accelerants may have contributed, complicating the fire’s origin:
- Carl: “Open door, basic incident. Mostly just wind, you know, air...” [06:09]
- Jared: “And they get hot too. Because I remember that all the guns in his safe was going off the whole time.” [07:04]
Community Support
In the immediate aftermath, the Akron family receives an outpouring of support from their tight-knit community.
- Darcy: “Oh, it was amazing. Everybody was, you know, he got like thousands of dollars via GoFundMe Venmo...” [13:07]
- Molly: “It was an outpouring. I mean, it was unbelievable.” [13:32]
Jared expresses his gratitude, overwhelmed by the community’s generosity:
- Jared: “There's only one word that describes that, and that's overwhelming.” [14:04]
Donations poured in quickly, both monetary and material, showcasing the best of small-town solidarity.
Revelation and Betrayal
However, the initial support turns sour when the truth about Christy's pregnancy emerges: she was not expecting twins after all.
- Molly: “And then all the shit hit the fan and all the wheels fell off...” [18:09]
- Darcy: “People just drug him through the mud, you know, said nasty things about his character...” [18:16]
Rumors suggest that Christy fabricated her pregnancy, leading to distrust and accusations against Jared:
- Jared: “Now I've got a lot of doubts in my mind... nobody pulled us aside before the wedding...” [30:16]
Suspicions and Rumors
As suspicions grow, Jared faces allegations that Christy may have deliberately set the fire, potentially to cover her tracks regarding the fake pregnancy.
- Darcy: “Maybe her plan was for both of them to die in the fire...” [22:05]
- Molly: “She had been suspected in Washington County here of two other fires.” [22:46]
Christy’s mysterious behavior prior to the fire—such as erratic activities and secretive doctor visits—further fuels these suspicions.
Jared's Struggle
Jared grapples with the dual loss of his home and trust, striving to clear his name amidst the community's backlash.
- Jared: “I didn’t want to keep these things. And it was such a tough thing to take in...” [15:26]
- Jared: “Seriously, give it back. I don't want something that they think I'm involved in.” [20:10]
The discovery of a missing firearm from his safe adds to Jared’s anxiety, suggesting potential threats to his safety:
- Jared: “I realize one's missing. After the fire... it's a pistol missing.” [33:22]
Conclusion
As Jared faces mounting doubts and external pressures, the episode concludes on a tense note, hinting at deeper conspiracies and personal turmoil yet to be uncovered.
- Jared: “This bitch is crazy. Cause I mean, that gun is still missing.” [34:29]
The Unborn masterfully intertwines personal tragedy with layers of deception, leaving listeners eager to uncover the truth behind Jared and Christy's fractured life.
Notable Quotes
- Jared: “This is probably the worst part is me reliving this part. You can't bring that back.” [10:36]
- Darcy: “I mean, people just drug him through the mud, you know...” [18:16]
- Jared: “It's six feet from that door... It was just funky.” [25:24]
Closing Thoughts
"The Fire" sets the stage for a gripping narrative, blending emotional depth with suspenseful twists. As Jared delves deeper into the mystery of his wife’s intentions and the community’s true nature, listeners are poised for an intense journey of discovery and retribution in upcoming episodes.