By FireRescue1 Staff
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Community members are rallying behind a fire chief and his family after their home was lost in a blaze over the weekend.
Whiteville Fire Chief Ernie Burkeen’s home caught fire Saturday; six fire departments responded to the fire. Officials are still investigating, but suspect an electrical issue as the cause.
Assistant Chief Jonathan Swarey told WREG the fire may have started in a bedroom and spread to the attic and the rest of the home. It took nearly five hours to extinguish the blaze.
Chief Burkeen’s wife, Debbie, is a sergeant with the police department. When the fire was reported, Sgt. Burkeen was on duty and responded to the fire.
The following day, community members helped the Burkeen’s sift through remnants of their home.
“They just wanted me to express gratitude from everyone from the firemen to just random people showing up, giving them money and for all the prayers,” Whiteville Police Chief Steven Stanley said.
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