HAMPTON, Va. — Days ahead of Thanksgiving, a Hampton couple is forced to figure out what is next after a fire ripped through their home. It happened in the overnight hours on Joy Drive near Big Bethel Road.
A man, a woman, and their adult son live in this home. They all made it out OK.
The woman, Gina Eanes, told 13News Now she saw smoke envelop the air and noticed a burning smell at around 2 a.m.
The Eanes family has lived there since 1987. Another one of their children lives just across the street.
In a video provided by neighbor Chris Dobyns, flames could be seen erupting from the home and tearing through it.
Neighbor Stephan Stephan just woke up.
"I saw the flames and knew something was wrong, so I ran up there to see what was going on. They were out. Everybody was out. So, that was a big relief," said Stephan.
When the sun rose, the family looked on at what was left. They were unsure of what they could salvage.
The roof caved in and a car in the garage was ruined, among other things.
"It's very sad," said Stephan.
When 13News Now last spoke with Gina on Tuesday morning, she had only accounted for three out of four dogs. She believes her cat ran out.
A witness who did not want to go on camera recalled seeing the flames high in the sky.
"Right before Christmas, Thanksgiving... I couldn't imagine. All their stuff. I don't even know if they found that one dog. I just couldn't imagine... I feel for them, I really do," she said.
Meanwhile, neighbors in the tight-knit community were trying to figure out how they could help.
"I wish I could do more. As a matter of fact, I'm running to the store to get some chicken stock and make everybody lunch today," said Stephan.
Crews with Hampton Fire-Rescue were on the scene for hours, not only for the initial response but to also put out hotspots. Investigators are still looking into the cause.
Gina Eanes said she thinks the fire started in the back of the home and then traveled all the way up to the attic. She said she was not sure what the next steps, like rebuilding, would look like.