A Gholson family is left with nothing after their home caught fire Thursday afternoon.
It was just after 1p.m. when the family smelled smoke, before they could get their shoes on, their house went up in flames.
"Just on a whim I opened up the door and there was flames coming in," said the home owner's daughter Tracie.
Seeing huge flames billowing through her mom's back door was the last thing Tracie expected to see this afternoon.
"I just thought we're going to lose everything," said Tracie.
And unfortunately for this family, that nightmare was now a reality.
"None of us have coats none of us have shoes," said Tracie.
"When you first see it, it's moving a lot quicker than you think," said home owner's grandson Damon Maynar.
The home and a car are a total loss.
And several chickens and a horse suffered minor burns.
"You get out of the way, and you be thankful you have your lives," said Damon Maynar.
But for the Gholson family the bad news didn't end there, they didn't only lose their house and car, but also acres of land.
"When we arrived we realized that we not just a structure fire, but a growing grass fire, so we also asked for additional brush trucks to come out here for the grass fire," said Chalk Bluff Fire Chief Mike Meadors.
With Christmas just around the corner, this family tries their best to keep their spirits high.
"My son's only 22, but he lost everything too, you know, all our photos her children's photos, I just don't know what to do," said Tracie.
They may not have presents under the tree, but they have each other, and to them that's more important than anything.
"You just have to start over again, and trust in the Lord, not to give up that faith in the Lord," said Damon Maynar.
If you'd like to help the family, they're taking food, clothing and monetary donations at the Gholson Volunteer Fire Department.
Physical Address
155 Wesley Chapel RD
Waco, TX
Mailing Address
155 Wesley Chapel RD
Waco, TX
Telephone: 254-829-0100
A fund has also been set up for the family at the State National Bank in West.
