Family of six displaced after fire severely damages home in Chesterfield County

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A family of six has been displaced after their home in Chesterfield County was severely damaged in a fire.

According to a spokesperson for Chesterfield County Fire and EMS, firefighters responded to a home at the 13800 block of Laurel Spring Road at 12:26 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 19. Crews saw flames coming from one corner of the roof when they arrived.

Two adults and four children who were in the home were able to get out safely and the fire was marked under control at 1:36 a.m. on Sunday.

Officials said the family dog also escaped, but the family cat is still missing.

Firefighters were also able to rescue chickens that were in a chicken coop near the back deck of the home.

The house is a total loss, and the family is being assisted by other family members, according to a spokesperson for Chesterfield County Fire and EMS.

In the aftermath, the neighborhood is coming together, gathering clothes, food and toys for the children, since the family lost everything in the fire. 

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

This comes after the Henrico County Fire Department said there would be potential for fires in Virginia this weekend – especially with the dry and windy conditions that have been expected.

One neighbor — Donald Smith — who lives in the house next door spoke about his initial reaction when the house lit up in flames.

“It was just a blaze and, just, a very ugly, noisy fire,” Smith explained.

Though the house was destroyed, Smith described his relief that the family inside was able to evacuate safely.

Smith continued: “I’m just very, very happy that everybody came out safe. We can we can replace material things, but but not people.”