Faith in God helps Chillicothe couple through house fire, hope to give back

Megan Becker, Chillicothe Gazette
·3 min read

CHILLICOTHE ― Chad and Vicky Burnett learned firsthand how traumatic it is to lose your home in a fire. Despite the devastation, the couple said the tragedy proves God works in mysterious ways.

On March 15, three days after the couple celebrated their second year in their new home, a fire caused by a heat lamp started near their master bedroom. Chad, who was working from home at the time, smelled the fire and got his animals to safety.

Vicky and Chad Burnett stand in stand inside of the goat pen at their home on May 23, 2023, in Huntington Township, Ohio. The Burnett's home burned down on March 5, 2023. Impressed with the response from the local fire departments, Chad is thinking of becoming a local firefighter. His application to the Huntington Township Fire Department has been approved.

Vicky was starting her shift at Adena and rushed home when she heard the news. When she arrived home, she saw the house in flames.

Huntington Township Trustee John Cottrill said it took 25 firefighters, 15 vehicles and seven departments working "morning 'til night" to put out the fire in the two-story home.

More: Petition circulating to stop Huntington FD mutual aid until second crew is formed

Chad said one comment stuck out the most after the fire: "You don't even have enough to go to bed." He said it felt like they were in mourning. The couple felt that they lost everything.

Vicky and Chad Burnett stand in front of the hole where their house use to be on May 23, 2023, in Huntington Township, Ohio. The Burnett's home burned down on March 5, 2023. Impressed with the response from the local fire departments, Chad is thinking of becoming a local firefighter. His application to the Huntington Township Fire Department has been approved.

After the fire was put out, the couple was able to salvage a few irreplaceable items. The couple found over 300 photos and the American flag from Chad's father's funeral. Two Bibles were pulled from the fire unburned, which the couple plans to display in their new home.

One of Vicky's most prized possessions was found, to the couple's shock.

As a nurse, Vicky didn't take her wedding ring to work and would leave it in the top drawer of her nightstand in the master bedroom. When the couple approached the house after the fire, they saw that almost nothing was salvageable. There was no roof, floors or furniture. One exception was Vicky's nightstand which was left standing on a sliver of the floor. Every drawer was open except the top drawer, where Vicky's ring was found unharmed.

Although some things were recovered, most of their things were lost. Within the hour of the tragedy, community members, family, neighbors and strangers helped the couple in any way possible.

A passerby called 911 and helped Chad get his goats to safety. Vicky's daughter started a GoFundMe as the fire burned that ultimately raised almost $20,000 from over 200 donors. Church members and strangers brought food, pillows, toothpaste and anything else to keep the couple afloat.

"God, he just knew exactly what to do," Vicky said. "It's back to the community. The output, it was tangible."

The couple believes the events leading up to the fire show "God's hand" guiding them.

The Burnetts are active members at the Open Door Church in Chillicothe. In the fall, the church held a panel to talk about a variety of topics, including life insurance. Inspired, the couple went to get life insurance in February.

Vicky and Chad Burnett stand in front of the hole where their house use to be on May 23, 2023, in Huntington Township, Ohio. The Burnett's home burned down on March 5, 2023. Impressed with the response from the local fire departments, Chad is thinking of becoming a local firefighter. His application to the Huntington Township Fire Department has been approved.

While speaking with the insurance agent, she encouraged them to get better home insurance. Their new home insurance policy went into effect three days before the fire.

"God is with us. His promises are true. And despite the circumstances, He will continue to provide for us," Vicky said.

Through their help from the community and their faith in God, the couple was able to have a positive takeaway from the fire. Vicky said although they've always been the type of people to help others, there is a "deeper sense of urgency" since they've experienced the loss. They both have plans to find ways to contribute more to those in need.

Chad is considering joining the Huntington Township Fire Department.

"It really hit me that a bunch of people who don't know me at all ran into my house and risked their lives to try to save our home," Chad said. "One way or another, I want to be able to help people... watching them that day made me want to be that for someone else."

Vicky and Chad Burnett stand in front of the hole where their house use to be on May 23, 2023, in Huntington Township, Ohio. The Burnett's home burned down on March 5, 2023. Impressed with the response from the local fire departments, Chad is thinking of becoming a local firefighter. His application to the Huntington Township Fire Department has been approved.

The couple is currently living in an RV on their property. Their new house is expected to be completed by next spring.

Megan Becker is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. Call her at 740-349-1106, email her at mbecker@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @BeckerReporting

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Faith in God helps Chillicothe couple through house fire