Cape Coral community rallies around family of 6 that lost home to fire

Reporter: Asha Patel Writer: Drew Hill
Published: Updated:
Cape Coral fire 1.30
Cape Coral fire 1.30

On Sunday morning, a family of six found out their home was a total loss. WINK News first told you about this on Sunday.

This house fire began with a child playing with a lighter. That family and their pets were able to escape unharmed, but the house was gone. But now, neighbors in Cape Coral are helping that family get back on their feet. Those neighbors offering help in any way they can is keeping the Welsher family going.

The six of them spent seven years on this home, and now they’re learning what it means to start over.

On Monday, the home still smelled of smoke. This was a tragedy the Welsher family couldn’t have imagined.

Danielle and Douglass Welsher owned this home. “It was about eight minutes, and the whole place was filled with smoke black smoke you couldn’t even see the hand in front of your face,” the Welshers said.

The couple said that their 4-year-old son was playing with a lighter on Sunday morning. He then dropped the lighter in his room.

The flames seeped into the home’s insulation and were able to engulf the house within minutes. “It’s a Sunday morning relaxing and enjoying the time with your family. Now, as a family, we’re moving. It’s toast. It’s all gone, shocking, fast,” said the Welshers.

The fire charred almost every room and item in the home. Luckily, mom, dad, the kids and the pets were able to get out safely. However, the goldfish didn’t make it.

Right now, the Welshers are staying with family as they figure out where to go from here. “Even on a  Sunday morning, when you’re vigilant, accidents happen. And this is a terrible accident, but we’re all ok,” they said.

The family says they’re incredibly appreciative of all the support they’ve received and that, ultimately, that’s what will help them secure a new home.

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