A Hampton family lost nearly everything in a house fire Sunday. John Harvey and Amber Gibson and their four children at 199 Swimming Pool Road in Hampton made it out safely.
In a flood of community support, Hampton Christian Church has already received bags and boxes of clothes, toys and shoes for the family as well as monetary donations.
“It’s an awesome privilege to be used by God as a channel for the community’s support of this family,” said HCC Minister Dwayne Calhoun.
He said their children are involved in the Sunday night Christians in Action Program and that they were in the Christmas play as well.
“Their children are a real blessing,” said Calhoun.
Church members, family and neighbors have reached out to the family during this difficult time, which Calhoun said characteristic of the Hampton community.
All donations will be given to the family. Clothing may be donated in girl’s size 14 pants and size three shoes, girl’s size seven or eight pants, boy’s size 14/16 pants and size six or seven shoes and boy’s size 10/12 pants. Cash or check contributions are also welcome to help cover the expenses of getting established in a new home. Donations may be delivered Wednesday between 9 a.m and 2 p.m. or Thursday night at the Christmas Eve service beginning at 6 p.m. at HCC.
According to Carter County Deputy Preston Slagle’s report, Gibson awoke to the smell of smoke and found the wall behind his drier in flames. The report states that he evacuated his family, but the residence was a total loss. Hampton and Stoney Creek Volunteer Fire Departments responded to the dispatch and put out the fire.