Community responds after Clarksville firefighter loses own home in fire

This weekend we told you about a Clarksville firefighter whose own home burned down — a terrible irony that has now led to an effort to get that firefighter and his family back on his feet.

Things look a little different outside Bryan Birkes home in Palmyra these days. His home is still smoldering after a weekend fire that reduced it to smoke and ash.

Birkes was clearing brush with a utility vehicle when he parked it in the garage and later began smelling smoke.

The Palmyra Fire Department responded — the very group that Bryan volunteers for — along with his other job at the Clarksville Fire Department.

The Clarksville Firefighters Foundation posted on social media , opening up a Venmo account to help get Bryan and his family back on his feet.

The Clarksville Fire Department says it was a plea heard loud and clear in the community.

"The Birkes family is very appreciative to everyone who has donated," said Assistant Chief Michael Rios with the Clarksville Fire Department. "All the support is overwhelming."

Carrie: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/2e/72/be0f23854c54a228c9d6138c9847/carrie-recommends-header.png

Ben: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/df/c4/19fa7c504480938f39a431e3b276/ben-recommends-header.png

Amy: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/b9/b6/1408516a4a91b97639b178fc1ba9/amy-recommends-header.png

Rhori: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/5b/25/a224d13d47739165c92b94e643db/rhori-recommends-header.png

Rebecca: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/a2/d9/fb69982545c59e9836fbe80fe431/rebecca-recommends.png

Lelan: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/af/54/833bf879454097a398bd44f723de/lelan-recommends.png

WOW! Where did the summer go! It's hard to believe the unofficial end to summer arrives with the upcoming Labor Day weekend! For college football fans, it's the start of the regular season, but there are a lot of events happening in our area. Our team at NewsChannel5.com has put together a list of some of the fun things to do this weekend.

-Lelan Statom