JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A family is leaning on the community after an electrical fire in their Mid-Westside Jacksonville home caused a devastating loss and stripped them of everything they owned.
On Feb. 1, when temperatures dropped into the teens, the McBeath family was forced to immediately leave the place they called home for 18 years on Durkee Drive after the fire broke out, according to a GoFundMe.
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In moments, they lost all but the pajamas on their backs and were displaced from their home.
“The smoke was coming out of the floor, out of the floor vents, out of wall sockets,” Billy McBeath said. “The house was being engulfed in smoke.”
He said the power had been going in and out all day. Billy and his daughter Bayleigh had already gone to sleep, but Heather was still awake when she noticed it was back out.
“She noticed that the neighbor behind us, the power was still on. So I went and checked our fuse box. And the main breaker had kicked off. And while there, we noticed the smell of smoke. And we actually saw smoke,” he said.
Now the family is staying with friends and family while they try to pick up the pieces. They are raising funds to help cover necessities and essential items.
“Thankfully, my wife was awake to wake us up and get us out of the house. Otherwise, we could have been looking at a whole different situation,” McBeath said.
“We all believe God sends wonderful people in our lives in urgent times such as this to be an extension of his hands and feet. If you feel led to give, your donation will help bring comfort, stability, and hope to this family during their extreme time of need. If you’re unable to donate, please share and keep them uplifted in prayer,” the GoFundMe said.
We contacted the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department about the investigation into the fire, but did not immediately hear an update.
As of Monday, the fundraiser raised a little over four thousand dollars twoard it’s $65,000 goal.
To donate, click here.