Huntersville boy sounds alarm about fire at friend’s house, then organizes fundraiser for them

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — Holden Nardone’s neighborhood in Huntersville is tight-knit; it’s not unusual to see dozens of kids playing together in the evenings around Barnstable Drive. So when Holden saw his friend’s house on fire, he knew he had to help.

Holden, 13, walked Channel 9’s Hannah Goetz through the back alley that separates his house and his good friend Wesley’s house.

“We moved here about eight years ago, and first day I met him, and he likes playing football, so I like playing football. So we always go to the field,” Holden said.

The boys have been playing together in between their houses in Huntersville for years, so when Holden looked out his window on Sunday and saw Wesley’s house on fire, he and his dad quickly jumped into action.

“Oh, the house is on fire. Everyone comes out. Me and him run, and I knew there’s a dog in my friend’s house, right there,” Holden said.

Wesley and his family weren’t home when the fire started, but their dog was, and thanks to Holden’s quick thinking, they were able to get it out of the burning garage to safety.

But Holden didn’t stop there.

“I said, ‘Hey, mom ... I feel really bad. Can we maybe set up a fundraiser for them?’ As much as they need to get them through their rebuild,” Holden said.

With the help of his mom, they started a GoFundMe for the two homes and families impacted.

And that has inspired other neighbors to jump in as well.

“I just love when kids can step out and do stuff. But I’m grateful. I’m so grateful that they got help, and I’m going to try to do the best that I can to also help them,” one neighbor said.

Both homes were severely damaged, leaving two families without a place to live. The fire marshal’s office is looking into how the fire started.

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