A family in Florida faced a chaotic situation when a squirrel chewed through their electrical wiring, igniting a fire that severely damaged their home.
On January 31, Donnie Banta and Stacey Davis were in their Panama City residence, asleep with their children and pets, when they were jolted awake by unusual sounds and the smell of smoke coming from the attic, as reported by local news.
“While we were all asleep, I heard the breaker trip,” Banta shared.
Curious about the noise, he got up and noticed rustling in the attic alongside an electrical odor.
Davis quickly realized there was a fire and worked to get her family out safely.
“It was very frantic. We were just scrambling to get everyone awake and out of the house,” she recounted.
Firefighters from Panama City arrived rapidly and managed to put out the fire, but the damage was extensive; the house was fully destroyed.
Banta mentioned that officials pinpointed the squirrel as the cause of the blaze, leaving their home and all personal belongings in ruins.
“They said the squirrel entered the attic and chewed on some wires, creating a short circuit that started the fire,” Banta explained.
A GoFundMe campaign was launched to support the family in rebuilding after losing their home entirely.
The fundraising page emphasized the daunting task they now face, stating, “They now must start from scratch.”
It highlighted the urgent need for assistance as they navigate this challenging period.
The funds raised will help provide them with housing, clothing, and other essential items necessary for their recovery.
“We mainly need donations for our GoFundMe,” Davis told the news outlet, adding that they will also likely require furniture and kitchen supplies.
