MS family pleads for help after home destroyed by fire

PANOLA COUNTY, Miss. — After their home was leveled to the ground by a fire this past Friday, a family is in desperate need of help.

“I went to go in the house, but it was – I couldn’t get (in) five feet because the smoke and the heat was so thick,” Rodney Norwood Sr. said.

Norwood told WREG that right before the fire started, he was sitting outside on the porch and saw smoke coming from the ceiling.

He said he got even more worried when he heard his sister crying out.

“She said, ‘My baby, my baby,” Norwood said. “Which was my nephew. He was in the back bedroom sleep.”

That’s when Norwood said they started beating on the window, but the fire already engulfed the home and trapped his nephew.

“Tried to get out the window, he kicked the top window out but the air conditioner was still in the window and he couldn’t get out,” Norwood said. “I just grabbed the air condition. I’m going to be honest with you, I don’t know where the strength come from – just snatched it out the window.”

Thankfully, Norwood’s nephew only suffered minor scraps and cuts on his hands and face.

Not long after, Norwood said propane tanks started to blow.

Ultimately, the home that Norwood shared with his sister, her husband and their kids was destroyed. Not only that, but surrounding trees were burnt and at least four cars were charred, two of which nearly melted down.

“There were multiple fire departments from that area responded,” Panola County Sheriff Shane Phelps said. “Lieutenant says approximately 10 fire trucks.”

Phelps said that at this time, the fire is still under investigation.

“I’m going to be honest with you, I am on disability and I know there’s no way I can afford (to) rebuild,” Norwood said.

Norwood said that he is dealing with back problems and the house was uninsured, making the loss even more catastrophic.

Norwood and his family are now living in a hotel with $875 from the Red Cross. However, they said the money is set to run out on Tuesday.

That’s why Norwood is asking the community for help.

“I don’t see an immediate turnaround if people don’t help us,” Norwood said. “I really don’t.”

The family has set up a GoFundMe. If you would like to donate, click here .

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