Displaced family of four grateful for generous donations and outpouring of community support
A fire that forced an Alto family out of their home Monday has been ruled accidental by state fire investigators. State Fire Marshal spokesman Glenn Allen says, “The cause was the result of an electrical malfunction in a closet ceiling light.” He says the house, owned by Wes and Kelly King and located at 1790 Crane Mill Road, sustained heavy damage in the attic.
“I just thank God that we got out in time.” ~ Kelly King
Since the fire, the Kings say they’ve been blessed by an outpouring of community support and generous donations of clothes and other essentials that were lost in the fire. Some of those donations have come from as far away as South Carolina and Florida. “We’re blessed that our community cares so much about us at this time,” Kelly says.
Updated donation needs
Kelly says her family no longer needs clothes or toiletries or school supplies for the boys – enough of those have been donated – but they still towels, washcloths and bedding, specifically Queen and Full size sheets and blankets.
For now, the family will use them in the house they’re sharing with Wes’ parents as they get back on their feet. Wes works for the City of Gainesville. Kelly says his employers have been “wonderful” by giving him time to get things in order and helping the family with donations.
She uses the same adjective to describe the job done by firefighters who responded to the pre-dawn Monday call.
“They did a wonderful job,” Kelly says. The main structure was saved but the family doesn’t yet know if their house can be salvaged. Fortunately, it was insured and adjusters are scheduled to arrive this week to determine the full extent of the damage.
One thing is certain…the King family is lucky to be alive.
Grateful to be alive
Kelly says she was sleeping when the smell of smoke awakened her around 2 a.m. on July 25. When she got up to check on her sons, 7-year old Zech and 5-year old Caleb, she saw smoke in her bedroom. “I saw a closet on fire and hollered for my husband to wake him up and said, ‘Get the boys and get out!’ He got the boys and got out and we called 911,” she recalls.
Everyone in the family got out safely, including the family dog, but Kelly says their belongings were lost to fire, smoke and water damage.
Reflecting on that frightening morning and the long couple of days since, she says, “I just thank God we got out in time.”
A fire relief fund has been set up by the family at South State Bank. You may donate at any branch. Donations should be designated for the Wes and Kelly King Family Fire Relief Fund.
To donate towels and bedding, contact Cindy King at 706-768-2690.
updated 7/27/16
