Middleburg community comes together to help family who lost belongings, pets in house fire

Following a devastating house fire that left three of four family members — including a 6-month-old baby — hospitalized, a community is rallying together to help keep the holiday spirit alive.

Monday night, a house fire raged through Jessica Granger's Middleburg home, desolating her home and belongings. Granger, her two children and her mother, Sam, all got out alive. They lost a number of pets, including nine foster dogs; one dog and four horses survived. It's unclear what started the fire, which is under investigation by the Clay County Fire Rescue.

As the dust settles and the family makes their way out of the hospital, a family friend is working to make sure Jessica and her family have a home, funding and supplies to return to.

"Jessica is a strong woman who would do anything for her family's safety," said Hannah Gibbs, Jessica's boss and friend of four years. "She is sweet and always willing to be there."

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Gibbs organized a GoFundMe and supply drive for the Granger family that so far has raised over $17,000.

The family has been through a lot this week.

After sustaining burns, cuts and inhaling smoke, Jessica, Sam and the 6-month-old baby, Izzy, all had to be intubated. Jessica's three-year-old did not sustain any serious injuries.

Jessica was recently discharged but "is not 100 percent," Gibbs said. Sam should be released soon. She is "awake and in better spirits." Izzy continues to be monitored in the NICU for her labored breathing, but she is improving.

Gibbs and Jessica work together on a farm in St. Augustine. They've bonded over the years cleaning horse stalls.

"We would do our work quietly no matter how bad the weather is," Gibbs said. "At the end of the day, we would smile and say 'see you tomorrow' when the job was done."

The family friend hopes the next time she sees Jessica she can ensure the Granger family has a warm place to call their own.

She is collecting home goods, clothing (sizes: women's medium, girl's 6-month and 2-3T), diapers and formula.

"I have had some supplies delivered," Gibbs said. "Not as many as I'd hoped, but we still have time to collect things."

Gibbs added that the GoFundMe has been picking up steam and the goal is to help the family buy a new house.

"When a person hears about this situation, they should think of themselves in their situation," Gibbs said. "What are their feelings if this was them and how would they feel if their neighbors came together to help them? Holidays or not, mankind should be willing to help a family and two small children get to safety."

Donations can be made to the Granger family by visiting the GoFundMe page Gibbs started: https://gofund.me/fda5a550

Emily Bloch is an education reporter for The Florida Times-Union. Follow her on Twitter or email her. Sign up for her newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Florida community helps family after house fire destroys belongings