Just days before Christmas, a devastating house fire leaves nine people homeless. The Sumpter family had just moved into their home four months ago from North Carolina.
Their kids had already begun the countdown, to Christmas and to Mrs. Sumpter's birthday which is Wednesday. That joy gave way to sadness after the house fire destroyed everything.
Chimere Sumpter was overcome with emotion. When the fire started, she and her children were watching television while her husband Leroy was in the shower.
"And the next thing I know, I heard, was a loud scream for my name. 'Leroy! Leroy! Leroy!' I went running to go see what was going on and the whole kitchen-- the pantry, everything, was on fire. The water heater had caught fire and it was just ablaze. Fire all over the ceiling and all over the walls," said Leroy.
Investigators confirmed an electrical short near the water heater started the fire. Leroy said the only time he'd ever seen a fire like that was in the theater.
"I had seen it on movies, but actually in real life it scared me. I thought I could fight it because it looked small in the beginning, but within a matter of seconds it had consumed the whole kitchen and we had to go," Sumpter said.
Sumpter was able to safely evacuate his wife, their six children and nephew.
"Fires do move quickly and they did just what we asked them to. We tell people to not go back, not try to get anything," said Palmer Buck, AFD Battalion Chief. "They got the kids across the street and in that case everybody was safe and there were no injuries."
The fire did $75,000 dollars worth of damage, including destroying the family's Christmas gifts.
"We actually talk to our children and let them know that gifts and presents are not the meaning of Christmas it's life and joy. And we just have to thankful that we're alive. Our worldly possessions have been taken away, but we still have a life and we still have a love," said Leroy. "We just look to God and we know He will take care of us. He has never failed us and we will be okay. We will be okay."
The Sumpters did not have renters insurance. They were trying to save money to buy a car.
They will be staying with family tonight, and the Central Texas Red Cross will help them find a temporary place to live.
If you would like to help this family donations can be sent to or dropped off at 2908 East 12th Street.
