How a wrong turn led a stranger to ‘save 14 from a house fire’

How a wrong turn led a stranger to ‘save 14 from a house fire’ Member of saved family says of stranger: ‘Something kept bringing him down our road’ - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in A wrong turn led a stranger to save 14 people from a raging house fire in Georgia, according to a report. The man, identified only as Mr Casey, was driving back to Alabama with his son on Saturday night when their GPS sent them along Highway 114 south of Lyerly. Meanwhile, James and Larita Burke, along with 12 children, were all asleep at their home in Chattooga County as the fire began to break out. Eventually, Casey spotted the house, which was ablaze. “He’s never been down that road before. And he said that he knew that something kept bringing him down our road,” James told WRCB. “When he saw the fire from the top of the hill, he knew he had to take action.” The cause of the fire is under investigation, the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office says. According to a GoFundMe campaign launched to raise funds for the family, the home’s roof was on fire, with the flames eventually going on to destroy the property. The family also lost their car and van in the fire, which unfolded just two weeks after James finished chemotherapy and radiation for tonsil cancer. Speaking to WRCB, he revealed that he was asleep in his recliner when the fire began to take hold. “The next thing I know, some guy was telling me in my living room, ‘Hey, you’ve got to get out of here. Your house is on fire,’” he told WRCB. Casey helped James rescue the children from the house, with the former also helping to get fire crews on the scene. Larita told the outlet: “If it had been another five minutes, it would’ve been a different situation. We wouldn’t have made it.” Now, the family have been left in need of a temporary home while their old address is rebuilt or replaced. The GoFundMe campaign, which will go towards helping the family secure essentials and rebuild their lives, has already raised more than $10,000, as of October 23. The couple told WRCB that the local community has reached out to support them, offering help. However, the incident has left their younger children confused. “My little three-year-old keeps asking, ‘Daddy, when do we go home?’ I said, ‘Soon,’” James said. The family have a long history of fostering and hope to continue doing so once they have their home back. They estimated to WRCB that they have fostered over 500 children. The Independent has contacted Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for comment. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments