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Fire department holding fundraiser after firefighter loses Rowan County home in blaze

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — A local firefighter lost his home in a fire during Sunday’s winter storm.

"That's our job to help people, and it hits you in the stomach when it is one of your guys,” said Michael Lanning, deputy fire chief at Scotch Irish Fire Department in Rowan County.

[RELATED: 3 firefighters injured in deadly fire after oxygen tank explodes inside Kannapolis home]

He and 11 other firefighters from the department suited up and braved the snow Sunday to respond to a call.  They soon realized the fire, right across the street from the station, was at the house of a fellow firefighter.

Dustin Newton has worked as a volunteer firefighter at Scotch Irish Fire Department for five years.  He was asleep with his wife Sunday, when the fire started in a wood stove that was being used to keep the house warm.

[RELATED: Historic Fort Mill church suffers damage in large fire]

He and his wife had to jump from a bedroom window to get out.

His peers tried to fight the flames, but said the storm hindered them.

“The weather was not ideal. The wind was pushing the fire,” said Lanning.

The Fire Department is now doing a fundraiser to help the Newtons. The station Facebook page said, “Donations will be accepted at Scotch Irish Fire Dept. You can contact our page directly with any questions.”

They gave specific instructions for clothing and provided size information:

Medium men's shirts, 32/32 pants and shoes size 10.5. Small women's shirts, size 6 pants and shoes size 8.

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