Community rallies around family following fire

A thick layer of smokey soot lay cover over the entire house. Christmas — at least in the traditional sense — is on hold for Amber Walsh as she and her two daughters seek new living accommodations following a fire at their home.

The family, just three day earlier, had celebrated Thanksgiving. Walsh was at home preparing dinner when the unthinkable happened.

“I had just gotten home for work and was straightening things up,” Walsh said. “I was greeted by two fussy felines — so I fed them; it was cold, so I turned on a space heater in the garage.”