GULFPORT, Fla. — A Gulfport family now asking for help from the public to rebuild their lives after a late evening fire on Tuesday gutted their home.
The family that lives on Tangerine Avenue in Gulfport made it safely out of the home but a family dog did not survive.
“I’m going oh my God it just started going up,” Art James said.
James grabbed a hose and tried to put the fire out but it was too late.
“It was like a Christmas tree, poof,” James said.
The Gulfport History Center is teaming up with police and fire to collect donations for the family. A mother and her teenage son and daughter live at the home. They did not have insurance.
“Unfortunately, nothing else made it out of the house,” police officer Courtney Palazzolo said. “The car was also demolished, as you can see everything, all their personal belongings. It’s going to be like starting over again and it’s going to be a lot for a family to process.”
Police are asking people to drop off unused household items, cash, gift cards, and clothes. You can take them to the Gulfport Police Department located at 2401 53rd Street S from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday.
If you want to give the family cash you can make a donation to Gulfport Neighbors a 501C3tax-deductible non-profit organization.
“This is a small community, we take care of each other,” Palazzolo said.
