Clinton Family Loses Everything In House Fire

A family in Clinton loses everything after their home goes up in flames.

On Sunday, Vanessa Hester-Collins got the news at church. The home where she spent the last 3 years was on fire. 

“You hear about this happening to other people, but you don’t think it will happen to you,” said Vanessa.

She received the text minutes after coming forward for prayer. In that prayer she asked for strength, not knowing how much she would need it.

Now, the single mom asks to be strong for her four kids.

“I sit in my car and cry,” she explains. “But I got to pat my face down. I can’t let them see me down.” 

She needs strength now to begin again.

“I’m just starting over,” says Vanessa. “It burnt through everything, my furniture, pictures, the kids room. It almost took my breath away.”

In response to the fire, the school district released a statement of support saying in part:

“Through some funding we have set aside for these types of incidents, we are going to be able to provide a lot of basic immediate needs and we are happy to help in as many ways as we possibly can. We love the Collins kiddos and my heart breaks for them right now.”

As the family grapples with the loss, Vanessa hopes to find a permanent place. In the meantime, they are staying with Vanessa’s sister in a 2-bedroom apartment.

A GoFundMe was set up to help the family recoup their losses and find a home.