House fire leaves 14 people searching for new home

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A family of 14 people are now looking for a new home after a fire destroyed their house on Nadies Court in Northwest Charlotte Monday night. Charlotte Fire investigators say a candle started the massive fire that forced seven adults and seven children out of their home.

Rosa Latimer lives across the street and saw the smoke and flames.

“The daughter proceeded to run out of the house and holler, help, help, help! I called her mom. They called the fire department and it was just overwhelming,” Latimer said.

Firefighters controlled the flames in less than 30 minutes, but the home and everything inside was already destroyed. The fire also damaged the neighbors home.

Fire investigators say a candle burned out of control forcing seven adults, seven children and two dogs out of their home. WCCB spoke with a mother living inside the home with her children who range from 11 months old to 19 years old.

“I think they’re close knit. They’re just trying to survive and do what they can and that’s what families do. They help each other,” Latimer said.

The debris and charred remains are a reminder of the pain the family is feeling neighbors say they hope to help however they can.

“It makes me feel sad and hopefully we can get together on the street and start a gofundme because they need all the help they can get,” Latimer said.

The family is staying with other family members right now, but because there are so many people they are split up. The Red Cross is also assisting. The family says they are in need of clothes, shoes, and other essentials. If you would like to donate you can mail them to 431 Elizabeth Avenue, Lincolnton NC 28092.

The family’s brother in law set up a gofundme to help.