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Catching hot spots: Alexander City firefighters hose down hot spots at this home in the 800th block of Old Kellyton Road Thursday morning. The cause of the fire is undetermined.

Family loses home to fire

Blaze apparently began in kitchen, structure’s interior gutted

By Laura Johnson | Alex City Outlook

Published Thursday, June 4, 2009

A young Alexander City family is trying to rebuild after their home was destroyed by fire Thursday morning.

The Alexander City Fire Department dispatched two engines to a blaze at the home of Sam Milliner in the 800th block of Old Kellyton Road at 11:25 a.m. When firefighters arrived on the scene, the house was engulfed in flames.

Melissa Poe, director of the Tallapoosa County chapter of the American Red Cross, said the family’s home was completely gutted.

“All that’s left is a shell of a house,” Poe said. “They lost everything and they need any kind of help they can get.”

Although firefighters were initially told that someone was trapped in the home, they discovered that no one was home at the time of the blaze.

Fire investigators believed the fire began in the kitchen, which is located in a far back room of the house. The cause of the blaze was not determined as of press time.

Milliner lived in the home with his three children – ages 5, 6 and 10 – and his girlfriend, Kimberly Lewis. Poe said the family was renting at the time of the fire. She added that Milliner put in time and money to repair their home.

“He put in many hours of sweat into fixing up their home, and now it’s all gone,” Poe said.

The family’s immediate concern is a place to live. The Red Cross is giving them three nights in a hotel room, but that will run out on Sunday.

In addition to that, Poe said the family is in need of just about everything from clothing to furniture. Poe has also directed them to the Salvation Army to get additional assistance, but she said they would still need more help.

Poe said anyone who would like to help the family could call her or Doris Black at the Red Cross at 234-3291.

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