Chunchula family loses everything in house fire
CHUNCHULA, Ala. (WKRG) — Large flames engulfed DJ and Renee Davis’ home on Old Citronelle Highway in Chunchula Friday night, and now the husband and wife are picking up the pieces.
DJ and Renee Davis’s property on Old Citronelle Highway was more than just a house; it was a home.
“It’s not replaceable,” DJ said.
DJ said it all started while trying to cook dinner Friday night.
“I pulled some fish out of the freezer — started running it up,” he recounted. “And even though it’s a smooth top stove, it actually caught on fire. I spilled it while it was fire. I thought I’d put it out and the next thing I know, I got a raging fire coming from behind the dishwasher.”
“All I saw was smoke, and I was trying to get on to the 911 call, and they were asking me question after question after question,” Renee said.
When fire crews arrived, they worked quickly to put out the flames.
Luckily for DJ and Renee, they got out without sustaining any injuries.
“Two of our sons who graduated from high school, both of their gowns were in there, and a bunch of their awards—baseball awards from our youngest son, band awards from one of our middle kids,” Renee explained. “So all that stuff is gone that we couldn’t we can’t replace any of that.”
And for DJ, a veteran who served in the army in 2005, his most prized possessions were all destroyed—including his awards for his service and his firearm collection, which comprised 36 weapons.
“One of them was in memory of re-enlisting,” he reminisced when discussing his firearms. “One of them was an integration of getting a divorce. My ex-wife, one of the memories from our son being born, my daughter being born, etc., that’s the most I’m going to miss from him.”
As DJ and Renee try to figure out what’s next, they hope the process of rebuilding their lives will begin sooner rather than later.
“Just prayers,” DJ said. “Just for the man upstairs, He knows how it’s going to end, so we’ll figure that out, too, as time comes.”
DJ and Renee have started a GoFundMe to help with costs; if you would like to donate, click the link here.
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