Friday, May 9, 2008

Neighbors rally to help family displaced by fire in Lantana

By Staff of Lantana Links

Adrian Weaver

LANTANA — Lantana residents immediately stepped up to help the Godfrey family whose house was destroyed by fire on Monday.

Kirby Godfrey, a coach at McMath Middle School, his wife, Julie, and their four boys, ages 3, 5, 7, and 9, escaped without injury from the late-night blaze at 8741 Weston Lane in Sandlin.

Before fire investigators had left the scene that morning, Lantana resident Cathi Brock began an effort to collect monetary donations and gift cards for food, clothing, and groceries to meet the family's immediate needs.

Donations can be dropped off at North Star Academy in Lantana between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. or at Brock's residence at 8141 Holliday Road in Sandlin after 6:00 p.m.

The blaze broke out in the electrical panel around midnight, according to Argyle Fire Chief Mac Hoenberger.

Although the first fire engines arrived on the scene minutes later, the fast-moving flames coming from the garage were already tearing into the main portion of the two-story home.

Firefighters were able to save some of the family's belongings, but the house - built by Highland Homes in 2001 - will likely need to be demolished and rebuilt, Hoenberger said.

Argyle, Highland Village, Flower Mound and Double Oak fire departments helped battle the blaze.

Out of the three house fires in Lantana over the years, Hoenberger said this one was by far the worst.

Stunned neighbors and curious onlookers mingled outside the charred home throughout the day Monday to see the damage for themselves. Click here for pictures submitted by our readers.

For more information on how you can help the Godfrey family, call Cathi Brock at 214-563-2590 or North Star Academy at 940-725-4114.

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