JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville mother came home to nothing after a fire destroyed her house Tuesday morning — and she wasn’t even in town when it happened.
Lashanna Gilbert was visiting family in Texas when she got a jarring phone call from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
“They were panicked. They were trying to verify my identity. And then I was just like, what’s going on? And he said, ma’am, your house is on fire. It’s a total loss. Everything is gone,” Gilbert said.
Gilbert says she had a hard time leaving Jacksonville on Sunday. Her flight got delayed and she briefly returned home before catching a later flight.
“At one point, I said, if this flight does not leave Jacksonville, I’m going back home, and my flight left,” she said.
She credits the last-minute travel struggle with saving her life — and the lives of her son and her dog, who were also away from the home at the time.
“I absolutely do [believe in divine intervention]. I am thankful to God for this trip to Texas that was out of the blue,” Gilbert said. “I am grateful that me and my son and my dog were not in the home.”
Jacksonville Fire Rescue responded to the scene Tuesday morning. Two firefighters were transported with minor injuries; both were treated and released, according to the department.
The home sustained significant damage.
Gilbert has launched a GoFundMe to help rebuild her and her son’s lives. The campaign has already raised a few thousand dollars toward her $12,000 goal.
“In these times that we’re in today, I know life is hard for everyone, so I’m so appreciative of any support that someone gives — but it just gives me hope in humanity,” she said.
The State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the cause of the fire.
You can donate to the fundraiser here: gofundme.com