Port St. Lucie family of 6 loses everything in fast moving house fire
The LaForte family just moved to Port Saint Lucie eight months ago when the unthinkable happened.
"It was just so fast I mean the color of the fire and the smoke, I’ve never seen that before, maybe just on TV," Jaimeelee LaForte said, describing the moments a fast moving fast fire ripped through her Dabney court home.
"How quick it engulfed the wall. And we were in there! I didn’t hear anything except popping noises prior to him screaming," she said, talking about her husband Anthony coming back from his Saturday bike ride with his eldest son.
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"I took him off, put the bike down and I immediately grabbed the hose to try to put it out but it was too much," Anthony said.
Within minutes, the home was completely engulfed in flames. Fortunately, Jaimeelee, Anthony and their four kids got out unscathed, now staying with grandma and grandpa. Their 10-year-old son summed up how they all felt after they got out.
"I wasn’t that sad anymore because everyone was OK," he said.
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"I am happy that I got to wake up the next day with my whole family," Jaimeelee said.
"It suddenly just went out of control … they lost everything," neighbor Yonas said, getting choked up describing the fast-moving fire next door. "You are going to make me cry … very good family, very good kids."
In the meantime, his family went to work to help.
"My mom is gathering clothes and shoes and stuff, toys. We are going to bring it over to them," his son said.
House by house, the tight-knit cul-de-sac has joined suit, collecting supplies so the family of six can start to rebuild their lives.
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"I hope it teaches my kids something that there is not always bad things in life ... people care," Jaimeelee said.
The LaForte boys range in age from 2 to 10. They are growing and are going to need everything from scratch. So far neighbors have donated some toys, bedding and clothes. If you want to donate CLICK HERE!.