HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — Ed and Beth McCreery are thankful to be alive after their Huntersville home was destroyed by a fire early Wednesday morning.
"We are very thankful. Grateful to be alive," Ed McCreery said, standing in the driveway inspecting the charred remains of the home he shared with his wife.
Now, the couple's neighbors and the entire Huntersville community are rallying behind the family after they lost everything to the fire. A GoFundMe account has already raised over $12,000 to help the couple recover from the loss.
A fire gutted their house around 3 a.m. Wednesday. The flames were so hot that neighboring homes were also damaged. The McCreerys and their dog were able to escape with just the clothes on their back and a few possessions they could grab on the way out.
"We just want to say thank you to everyone who is helping," Beth McCreery said. "Our dog is down the street and the neighbor's house."
The Mecklenburg County Fire Marshal's Office said the fire was started by Christmas lights. According to FEMA data, the winter months of December, January and February see the most house fires caused by heating sources.
Huntersville Fire Department officials are using this fire as a reason why everyone should check their smoke detectors often and replace batteries each year. Click here for more information about how you can help the McCreery family.
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