Community helping family who lost home to fire

Jul. 14—Efforts are underway to provide assistance to a Sanford family who lost most of their belongings in a Monday fire.

The fire at 2129 Hearthstone Drive was reported at 11:14 a.m., according to Deputy Chief Ken Cotten of the Sanford Fire Department.

The one-story duplex rental home is at the corner of Burns Road and was occupied by Nikki Emerson and her two daughters, Cotten said.

Emerson was at work at Small Hands Big Future Childcare when the fire started on the stove. The older daughter got her sister safely outside, Cotten said.

She returned to rescue the family's pet, according to Cotten.

No injuries to the girls, the dog or Sanford Fire Department firefighters who responded were reported, he said.

Heavy fire and smoke were visible when firefighters arrived on the scene, Cotten said.

The blaze was brought under control, but most of the family's belongings were lost, the result of smoke and water damage, Cotten said.

The other residence in the duplex sustained fire and water damage and the lone occupant had to evacuate, according to Cotten.

Firefighters were on the scene for about 2.5 hours, Cotten said, and the Red Cross was called to assist the residents.

The property is owned by EWT 70, LLC, according to Lee County tax records. The LLC's home office is in Concord, New Hampshire, according to N.C. Secretary of State records.

A donation drive was set up Monday afternoon at B.T. Bullock Elementary School, where one of Emerson's daughters is enrolled.

The drive was set to end by 2 p.m. Tuesday so the donations could be delivered to the family, according to Assistant Principal Salvatore Cosimo.

However, no donations will be turned down, he said.

"There have been a lot of donations," Cosimo said. "It's been a very good response."

Emerson's co-workers at Small Hands Big Future Childcare also are accepting donations on behalf of the family, according to the facility's Facebook page.

"One of our teachers suffered the tragic loss of her home today," the child care center posted Monday.

The co-workers are at collecting gift cards that can be used to replace clothing, food and other property lost in the fire.

Visa and Master Card gift cards are being accepted, the post said. They can be dropped off at Small Hands Big Future Childcare, 1112 Broadway Road.

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