Charles and Sue Fikes narrowly escaped disaster when their home caught fire Thursday afternoon, thanks to a quick-thinking UPS driver and local volunteer firefighters. But their relief turned to shock upon learning their homeowners insurance had been canceled without their knowledge. The fire broke out at their residence along FM 2549. Charles, who uses a wheelchair, and Sue, who relies on a walker, were unable to escape alone. A passing UPS driver spotted the flames, called 911, and alerted responders. Firefighters from Blackjack, Hearne, and Wheelock arrived swiftly, pulling the couple to safety. Their cat was also rescued and given oxygen by first responders. The fire, which originated near the front patio, quickly spread through the roof and interior, leaving the home severely damaged. For decades, the Fikes have been pillars of the Brazos Valley community as the founders of the Charles and Sue School of Hair Design in Bryan, training thousands of students since the 1970s. Now, after losing their home, they face a daunting road to recovery. What made matters worse was the realization that their insurance had been canceled. Despite being insured with the same company for 55 years, their policy had been terminated in 2023 due to an underwriter pulling out of rural Texas markets. The only notice was an email sent to Charles, which went unseen. With no calls or letters to follow up, the family had no idea they were unprotected. Now displaced in a senior living facility, the couple is assessing their options for rebuilding. The cost of repairs is expected to be in the hundreds of thousands, all of which will now have to be covered out of pocket. Their family is calling for change, arguing that insurance companies should be required to verify communication preferences, especially for elderly clients who may not regularly check email. The incident has sparked a conversation about how seniors are being left behind in an increasingly digital world. While industries like healthcare routinely confirm preferred contact methods, insurance companies are not held to the same standard. Without proper notification, elderly homeowners can unknowingly lose coverage, leaving them vulnerable in times of crisis. As the family works to recover from the fire, they are also pushing for reforms to prevent others from facing similar hardships. Meanwhile, they remain grateful for the quick actions of the UPS driver and the firefighters who risked their lives to save Charles and Sue. Despite the financial struggle ahead, they know the situation could have been far worse, and their focus now is on rebuilding and raising awareness to protect others from the same fate.