SILSBEE, Texas — Just a week before Christmas, one Silsbee family won't be so eager to countdown the days.
Around 6 p.m. on Wednesday, a family of five lost all of their presents and the place they called home.
The house, located in the 9000 block of Little Big Horn Drive, north of Silsbee, erupted in flames after what firefighters believe to be caused by an electrical issue.
Cheryl Young, a grandmother, was with some of the family on Thursday to look at the house.
"Everything they own Christmas-wise was under that tree. They have nothing to give their kids," Young said.
It's a holiday nightmare for Young and her family.
She says her son couldn't believe what was going on.
"He called me, hollering on the phone saying 'Momma, the house is on fire," Young said.
Firefighters from Silsbee and Kountze did what they could, but the home sustained heavy damage.
It took crews roughly an hour to put out the flames.
"What God brings us to, he'll bring us through," Young said. "So this too we shall get through."
Luckily, her son was the only one home at the time and was able to make it out safely.
She tells 12News he went back inside the burning home to save his dog.
"10-year-old dog was in the home, hiding under a bed and he went and got the dog," Young said.
Unfortunately, Young's three grandchildren all lost their aquarium pets.
The kids, left heartbroken this holiday.
One has autism and another is disabled and now forced to switch schools.
To make matters worse, their father is severely epileptic and is not doing well.
"With all the strobe lights last night from the emergency vehicles, he's having problems today," Young said. "He can't even sit up right now."
On top of losing the home, Young's son also got stripped of celebrating another special occasion.
"Today is my son and his wife's 22nd anniversary. He said 'Momma, I didn't even get to give her her gift,'" Young said.
Some of the family did come to the house Thursday and were able to salvage some items.
There's no question, this family still needs help.
"They're going to need clothes, food and dog food." Young said.
Young says her family will stay with her in an RV outside her home in Broaddus, TX, near Lufkin.
It's not the Christmas this family wished for, but they will all be together.
"He's alive, they're all alive. That's all that counts," Young said.
Red Cross has reached out to the family.
Young says they have not set up a GoFundMe at this point, but if you'd like to help feel free to contact the family using the information below.
Contact information
Cheryl Young, Grandmother
Phone: 409-221-4593
Email: Bigmommataru@gmail.com
