New Year’s eve fire destroys family’s home

By Octavia Mitchell
Anchor / Reporter
Published: January 1, 2009

A Lowcountry family of six is homeless on New Year’s Day, after a fire destroyed their home in Colleton county.

The fire started at around 10 on New Year’s eve on Chester Lane in Cottageville. The blaze destroyed the Davis family’s year-old home.  Kenny Davis says, “We were at a neighbors house because it was new years, celebrating new years, and we come over and the fire alarm was going off, and we entered the house it was already engulfed in smoke. There was nothing you could do from there. It was a matter of minutes before the house was engulfed in flames. It’s unreal how quick something like this can happen.“  Tracy Davis says, “If it would have happened on a regular day, we would have been in the bed sleeping but since it was new year we were outside with our friends.“

Christmas gifts, clothes, and toys are all gone for the family’s four children; a 13-year-old boy, and three girls ages 13, 9, and 6.  Tracy Davis says, “The kids lost everything.  Upstairs is totally demolished, that’s where the kids rooms were, so the kids lost everything. They’re shaken up, but they’re very thankful that we’re all safe.  Family is everything. The house can be replaced, but we’re all together.“  Even in the midst of the family’s disaster, the youngest child brings comfort.  Mrs. Davis says, “She go to daddy and hug him, tell him it’s going to be ok daddy, it’s ok.  She would pat him on the back, her head on his shoulder, she said, mommie and I and everybody we ok, we ok daddy.  The house can be replaced.  She come over to me and hug me and say, breathe momma breathe, it’s going to be ok.“

The family says even though this new year began with ashes, their faith remains firm.  Tracy Davis says, “The main thing I ask is prayer. It’s going to be a very struggle 2009, but as long as our family is together, we will make it.“

SLED is investigating the cause of the fire.

The Red Cross is providing temporary shelter for the Davis family.  If you would like to help, you can send a check to the American Red Cross, Carolina Lowcountry Chapter at 8085 Rivers ave., Suite F. North Charleston, SC 29406 or by calling (843) 764-2323 ext. 386.