CHARLOTTE — It took 30 firefighters to battle the flames Tuesday at a house on Biederbeck Drive, but a family of seven is finding a new battle after being forced out of their home.
From the outside of the Kinchen family’s home in east Charlotte, you wouldn’t think much happened here. But step inside and you can’t miss the damage. The blinds are melted to the windows in their dining room, their living room television screen melted out and vanished, the ceiling fan wilted, and soot caked the floors and walls.
“My kitchen is where all the love and magic happens,” said Lisa Kinchen.
It’s also the place where firefighters say the flames started. The cause is still unknown.
All of the kitchen is a complete loss; even their coffee maker melted. You can see this used to be one of the happiest places in the home by the food left on the kitchen island. The flames went from here to the rest of the house.
Lisa and Kevin Kinchen, along with their five children, were at Bible study when the fire started. The only thing that was left in their kitchen was a Bible, itself.
“I’ve never seen something like that before in my life,” they said.
Their faith keeps them going, but this isn’t the only setback they’re battling. Kevin also has heart failure and is in need of a transplant. With medical bills piling up, this was the last thing they needed.
“We’ll get through this no matter what because at the end of the day, we have each other,” he said.
The house is unlivable for now, with the ceilings peeling off and the smell of smoke still lingering. But somehow, the Kinchen family is staying positive.
“We’ll get through it because we have a community of people that really love us,” Kinchen said.
They’re currently in a hotel, but they’ll need help with temporary housing, food, and clothes. If you’d like to help, you’re encouraged to donate to their GoFundMe page at this link.
(VIDEO: Crews battle massive fire at warehouse in Gastonia)
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