Fire claims home, family of 7 now homeless

SEMMES, Ala. (WALA) - A family is left picking up the pieces after the Semmes home they were renting was gutted by flames Monday morning.

Georgia Paige said she, her husband, and their five children, ages 3-14, are now homeless after their home caught fire. She said her mother and uncle were also living with them.

“I can't believe it. I want to be woken up,” said Paige. “I thought it was a dream.”

The mother of five said it happened while four of her children were at school.

She said she went to the market with her mother, uncle, and youngest son. When the group returned close to 11a.m., she said the home was fully engulfed.

“My daughter’s children lost everything they had,” said Brenda Fritts. “Everything and we just sort of waited around. Everybody was crying.”

Relatives said the blaze broke out shortly after they turned on the heater.

To make matters worse, the family also lost their pet Chihuahua in the fire.

Family members said they are already working to get back on their feet.

“Where do we rebuild? Where do we start at?” asked Paige. “I'm just praying, where do we start?”

The family is currently receiving help from the Red Cross.

You can either contact the local chapter 251-544-6117 or reach the family by calling the station 251-434-1101