A family of five in Harrells, Duplin County, is facing a devastating loss after a fire completely destroyed their home and belongings early Tuesday morning. The fire occurred while no one was home, leaving them to return to a scene of total devastation.
Jerkia Leftwich, her husband Robert Leftwich, and their three young children had been in the process of moving to a new residence. However, before they could complete the transition, their home was consumed by flames. The fire destroyed everything inside, including essential documents like birth certificates and marriage licenses, as well as sentimental items such as hospital bracelets from their children’s births. They also lost all their furniture, clothing, food, and their children’s toys.
Reflecting on the tragedy, Jerkia Leftwich expressed disbelief over how quickly the fire spread. “We lost everything, honestly,” she said. “Our bedding, our food, their toys—everything is gone. I just keep thinking, what if we had been home? What if we had been asleep when it happened? We wouldn’t have made it out in time.”
The Harrells Fire Department responded to a call from a passerby at 3:14 a.m. and managed to contain the fire by 3:44 a.m. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and the case has been referred to the Sampson County Government Fire Marshal’s Office for further examination.
Robert Leftwich also voiced his concerns, questioning how the fire could have started when they had been away for several days. “We’ve been gone for the past three days, so how did this happen? Did a spark just come out of nowhere? It doesn’t make sense to me,” he said.
In the aftermath of the fire, the Leftwich family is seeking community support to help them recover and rebuild their lives. A GoFundMe page has been created to assist with their immediate needs and long-term recovery.
Authorities continue to investigate the fire’s cause while the Leftwich family focuses on starting over with the support of their community.
