Pensacola family displaced by house fire

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - A family of six is left with nothing but the clothes on their back after barely escaping an early morning house fire on New York Drive in Escambia County, Florida.

Johnny Watkins said his fiancee, Denise Stringer, and two kids were inside her home asleep Tuesday morning, November 20 when the house caught fire.

“It started in her room. She noticed it first, then she hollered for her mom and got everyone out of there,” said Watkins.

Watkins said the family barley made it out of the house before it was engulfed in flames.

“They were just trying to get the mom and dad out, first reactions, you know. Just trying to get the mom and dad and kids out," Watkins said.

Watkins said he’s been praying for donations, and Tuesday his prayers were answered when Theresa Williams showed up at the home.

Williams said she went through a fire in 1988 in which she lost everything. In 2011, she began gather items to give to fire victims.

She’s collected clothes, sheets, toys even a mattress. She said she hopes to provide a little something for a family that’s been through so much.

“I get my thanks from the Lord. I get all my guidance from the Lord to help people, so that’s what the Lord wants me to do,” said Williams.

The family is staying in a motel with help from the Red Cross.

Authorities said smoke detectors inside the home were not working at the time of the fire, which is still under investigation.