“Glad God sent his angels:” Mother grateful for support after Naples house fire

NAPLES, Fla. – A North Naples mother is speaking out to thank the community for its outpouring of help after she and her family of 11 were displaced by a fire.

Kerren Laitaille would not have a place to stay after the fire were it not for the kindness of strangers. On Tuesday, her rental home was nearly completely engulfed in flames. What was not destroyed by flames, was damaged by smoke, leaving Laitaille with almost nothing.

“I am just so overwhelmed,” she said, struggling to find words.

She’s had an emotional week, but many in Southwest Florida have rallied behind her family, raising more than $5,000 online.

Laitaille offered a tearful gesture of thanks Thursday evening.

“I just want to thank all the community that is pouring in to help me and my family,” she said. “And its been a blessing. It’s just touched my heart to know other people care. It’s not black or white; it’s helping one another.”

Laitaille said she was most taken aback by the kindness of the first stranger to open doors to her family.

“She was like ‘No, I cannot have you going to a hotel because you need that money to save up for rent,'” Laitaille remembers the woman saying. “And she said ‘Just come on in.'”

That particular family declined being publicly identified, but said the true blessing was hosting Laitaille and her family.

“I am the one that is being blessed she has a wonderful family,” a woman taking in Laitaille’s family said. “They are wonderful, wonderful kids – wonderful mother and I hope everyone is able to help.”

Clothes, shoes and other items have been donated to the family. Now the family is looking for a permanent place to call home.

“I am just glad God sent his angels to help me and my family,” Laitaille said. “The only thing is just a roof. We haven’t found a place yet to stay.”