Statesboro Fire CAFE and American Red Cross DAT team members are working to provide temporary assistance to two adults and five children who have been displaced after a Christmas Eve fire in Portal, GA.
Bulloch County 911 operators dispatched Bulloch County and Statesbro Fire Departments to the house fire at 11:31 AM on Sunday, December 24, 2023 in the 300 block of Pecan Grove Lane.
According to Joe Carter, Bulloch County Fire Prevention Chief, the first fire engine responded from the Portal station and was on the scene within minutes. Firefighters reported heavy smoke coming from the single wide modular home. Firefighters made an aggressive interior attack and had the fire blacked out quickly.
However, the home suffered significant heat, fire, smoke and water damage.
The seven occupants of the home were at church when the fire broke out. No one was injured in the fire.
The family includes two adults and five children ages 6 to 17.
Bulloch County EMS, Portal Police Department and Bulloch Sheriff's Officers responded to assist as well.
Community Responding
Bill Taylor with the Statesboro CAFE team said the family seems to have a large network of family and a strong church family who are stepping up to help. Taylor is also working with the Statesboro Jaycees and Marine CORPS Toys for Tots to make sure the children have Christmas gifts tomorrow. In addition they have connected the family with Fostering Bulloch's Hope Chest to get them clothing items and to help meet the families other immediate needs.
In tragedies like this once again we see how wonderfully giving and compassionate our community is. We are blessed to have agencies like Statesboro Fire CAFE, Red Cross, Fostering Bulloch, Statesboro Jaycees and Marine CORPS Toys for Tots to step up even on Christmas Eve to help
