ATLANTA (WANF/Gray News) – A single mother of 9 in Georgia lost her home in a fire just days before Christmas.
Kiesha Archer is working to rebuild her home following the devastating fire that displaced her and her five younger children.
“When I walked inside, I was shocked at what I found. I thought I was just going to have a little minor damage and the whole house is just burnt up inside,” Archer said.
The fire burned furniture, melted lightbulbs, destroyed clothes and personal items and left debris everywhere.
That day, Archer said she was out running errands and picking up one of her daughters from school when the fire broke out.
She actually got a call from her supervisor who said “I need you to sit down. We have a call at your house. Your house is on fire.”
Thankfully, no one was home when the fire erupted, except the family cat Pearl, who neighbors found alive days later.
Normally, Archer said she’s on the other side of an emergency call. She works as a 911 dispatcher for Paulding County.
“You send help for everyone else. You’re not the one that’s receiving the help. The emergency is somewhere else it’s never at your house,” Archer said.
With hardly any clothes, toys or personal belongings left, Christmas looked a lot different for Archer and her kids this year.
“It was a living room with a Christmas tree, boxes and a couch. We had on our matching Christmas pajamas though and that’s all that matters that we were together, and all the animals were okay,” Archer said.
Right now, Archer and her kids are staying with a family friend while they search for a rental home.
Her colleagues in Paulding County also started an online fundraiser for her which you can donate to by clicking here.
Archer is also asking for the community’s prayers.
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