KINGSLEY— A house fire displaced a family just days before Christmas, forcing nearby residents to evacuate for several hours as flames threatened surrounding homes, according to a neighbor who witnessed the incident.
Cierra Oakley said she first became aware of the fire around 6:30 p.m. when a neighbor came to her door banging and shouting that his house was on fire. Oakley said she and others ran outside immediately and asked how they could help.
She said the fire department had already been called, and within minutes, sirens could be heard as fire trucks filled the street.
Oakley said she did not see the flames as they initially rose, but later saw fire coming out above a window of the neighboring home. For an extended period, she said, heavy smoke filled the area, making it difficult to see down the street.
She and others watched from a side window of their home until firefighters advised them to leave as a precaution.
“It was really scary to see that fire pointing straight at our house,” Oakley said.
Oakley said she and others spent about two and a half hours at a nearby church while firefighters worked at the scene. She said residents were unsure whether they would be able to return home that night, but were allowed back around 10 p.m. Her home was not damaged, she said.
The family whose home caught fire was displaced and is now facing the holidays without a house. Oakley said the neighbors were in good spirits despite the circumstances and have two young children. Everyone involved was safe, she said.
Community members quickly stepped in to help. Oakley said the church began accepting monetary donations for the family, neighbors watched the children for a time, and others helped care for the family’s dog.
Oakley said she was grateful for the emergency responders and noted that firefighters from several townships responded to the scene. She said she was told the age and construction of the home made firefighting efforts more challenging.
“I’m just really grateful for the emergency responders,” Oakley said.