MONETA, Va. โ A Moneta family is facing an unimaginable loss after a fire and smoke tore through their home in the early hours of Dec. 8. What was once a place filled with memories is now reduced to rubble, leaving the Grimes family with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Early in the morning on Dec. 8, an electrical fire broke out in the master bathroom of the Grimes familyโs home. Kenneth Grimes, who has lived in the house for 15 years, says the fire quickly filled the rooms with smoke, forcing them to evacuate.
โIโve been here 15 years, put this place back together, it was my uncleโs, it was in bad shape when I first got here. So Iโve got a lot of memories, a lot of hard work, a lot of time putting it back together, and I donโt think I can put it back together this time,โ Grimes said.
The family tells us that as smoke filled the rooms, they knew they had to get out. Four people, four dogs, and a turtle all managed to escape the smoke that consumed their home.
โThere were tons of pictures everywhere, from my kids to her kids to our grandbabies,โ Grimes said, reflecting on the memories that were lost in the fire.
The familyโs home is now a shell of its former self, destroyed. What wasnโt damaged by fire or smoke was flooded, adding to the overwhelming loss.
โWhat wasnโt damaged by the fire and smoke got flooded, so it was kind of like a whirlwind of everything happening at once. It was pretty overwhelming,โ Grimes said.
In the aftermath of the fire, the parents are now living in a camper in the backyard, while their two children, ages 16 and 18, are staying with friends. Being separated, especially during the holiday season, has been particularly difficult for the family.
โYou want to be together during Christmas, you want to have all the kids and grandbabies over, and have dinner, but we just canโt,โ said Angela Brown, Kennethโs partner.
Asking for help has been one of the hardest parts for the Grimes family. While theyโve received clothing donations from the community, which they say has been a blessing, theyโre struggling with daily necessities like food and gas for the camper.
โYou just never know when tomorrow is completely different than anything you have ever known,โ Grimes added.
The Grimes family is now reaching out to the community for support. Theyโve set up a GoFundMe page to help with immediate needs and begin rebuilding their lives.
If youโd like to help you can find the GoFundMe link here.
Every donation can make a difference as they navigate this incredibly challenging time.