SAFETY HARBOR, Fla. — It's been an unexpected start to the New Year after a fire left a single mother and her teenage son without a home.
Early morning on New Year's Eve, the back of the house went up in flames while Nicole Evans' 17-year-old Griffin was asleep inside. She was out of town and woke up to a Facetime call from him.
"If it wasn't for our dog who barked until he couldn't get a response and then bit my son awake, I don't know what would've happened. He had me on the phone as he was leaving the house with the dog. We watched in till the fire department arrived," Evans said Tuesday afternoon.
Evans took us through the rubble, pointing out things she could see in the debris and showing memories that firefighters were able to save.
"It's my just childhood stuff. High school, junior high year book, letters from college before the time of digital. Photographs too. I know some of it is going to be damaged, but the fact that this survived is amazing," Evans said.
Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire, but firefighters were able to keep it contained to the second story of the home on Conant Avenue. Video taken by Drone 10 showed the total loss. Right underneath Nicole's room, on the first floor, is the room where Griffin was sleeping.
"All of this is tragedy, but out of it, you realize how really lucky you are," Evans said.
In just 48 hours, the community raised over $5,000 and donated gift cards, clothes, food and house supplies to American Legion Post 238. They're still accepting donations online and in person.
"I don't know if this makes sense, but it's hard sometimes to know how to take people's help. You know? It's hard to receive help and know how to express yourself. I'm overwhelmed," Evans said.
But she's grateful her community is rallying behind her and Griffin, knowing their new beginning will be easier because of it.
"There's no words, honestly, you know. Like, 'Thank you' and those things, They're mere just boats floating on an ocean of gratitude that I'll never be able to express," Evans said.