Firefighters give Christmas presents to family that 'lost everything' in house fire

FERRUM, Va. (WSET) — A family lost their home and everything they had in a house fire this week.

Then the same firefighters who worked the blaze took it upon themselves to provide presents for the kids facing so much loss.

Local firefighters in the Ferrum area of Franklin County said the fire started around 9:30 on Thursday morning on Franklin Street.

"Ferrum's Engine 3 arrived on scene to find a working fire in a single story private dwelling with heavy fire showing from the roof and the rear of the house," the Henry Volunteer Fire Department said in a Facebook post, describing the 4.5-hour process of putting out the fire with the Ferrum Volunteer Fire Department.

"As you can see in the picture below, it was a working structure fire and unfortunately the family lost everything," FVFD said on Facebook.

But to the firefighters, the line of duty didn't just end with putting out the flames.

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"We as volunteers knew that we couldn't let this mom and her 3 kids go thru Christmas without anything," FVFD said. "Yes they're ok but it's Christmas right?"

So the volunteers worked together to give presents to the family. Crews said they showed up at the family's new house, but this time instead of putting out fires they spread Christmas joy.

"We brought gifts and more gifts!! The kids were ecstatic and were very appreciative," the firefighters said. "We thank God they're all ok and have faith he will get them thru another Christmas!"

The nearby Rocky Mount Fire Department said the gesture wasn't a surprise, saying anyone who knows their local firefighters also knows they're willing to leave their family to help another.

"God bless each of you for your kindness," the fire department said. "Merry Christmas to you and your families from all of us at Department 1."