A Christmas Day fire has forced a rural Wilkes family out of their home, but firefighters say it was the grace of God that kept them from losing their lives. A visiting relative was asleep on the living room couch early Monday morning when she was awakened by smoke from a blaze that had started in some Christmas lights on the front porch. She was able to get the family out safely.

In spite of the work of firefighters in three departments -- Mulberry-Fairplains, Mountain View, and North WIlkesboro, the house and everything in it was lost. As they started to work on hot spots after bringing the fire under control, the Christmas Day loss moved firefighters to donate cash from their pockets to the family, identified by the Record as Jason and Pam Stamper and their 2 daughters, Chastity and Taylor.

Two firefighters left the scene and went shopping for the girls at Walgreens, still dressed in their turnout gear. Customers and employees of the store, upon learning of what had happened, opened their hearts and wallets, and by the time the Stampers had been taken back to the Mulberry fire station, the day room was filled with toys and gifts.

The Stampers are staying with relatives. They still have several needs, including clothes, towels and household items. For information on how you can help, contact the Red Cross.

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