‘Total devastation’: Clarksville firefighter in need after losing home in fire

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – Clarksville Fire Rescue is asking for help supporting one of their own who lost his home to a fire over the weekend in Palmyra.

According to the Clarksville Firefighters Foundation , Bryan Birkes, a firefighter with Clarksville Fire Rescue and Palmyra Volunteer Fire Department , was outside of his home playing with his dogs when he smelled smoke. He walked around his house to find the garage on fire.

Michael Rios, assistant chief of administration for Clarksville Fire Rescue, said as soon as the department was notified, crews rushed over to Birkes’ home. When he arrived, Rios described the scene as ‘total devastation.’

“Anytime someone has a house fire, it’s very devastating, and one of your own, you kind of put yourself in their shoes, and it’s heartbreaking,” Rios said. “You want to do everything you can to help them, and we just do our little part to help them financially, and the whole community is stepping up, and it’s very nice to see.”

Luckily, the family of six wasn’t hurt, but they did lose all of their belongings to the blaze.

The Birkes’ immediate needs are clothes, especially for his four kids who are attending school. The sizes requested are:

• Kali: Youth 10-12 top, 12 pants
• Kolton: Youth 12-14 top, 27” waist
• Kendra: Youth XS/S, 25” waist, Small leggings
• Caitlin: S/M, Size 2 pants, waist 26” but she is tall
• Nicky: XL top, Size 13 pants
• Bryan: XL/2XL shirt, 38” waist

Rios said anytime someone is in need, Birkes is the first to step up, so now it’s time to return the favor.

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“He’ll do anything for you,” Rios said. “A good family man, a beautiful family. He also helps in his community, along with working at Clarksville Fire and Rescue, so he’s a really good guy. He’d give you the shirt off his back, so why not help him out?”

The Clarksville Firefighters Foundation is collecting donations for the Birkes family. If you’d like to support, the nonprofit said you can pay with cash, check or Venmo the Clarksville Firefighters Foundation .

All of the proceeds will go to the Birkes’. Clothing and monetary donations can be dropped off at Clarksville Fire Rescue headquarters located at 821 Franklin St. in Clarksville.

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