A Stuarts Draft family of five will need to find a new place to live. A fire destroyed their home Tuesday afternoon.

A fire broke out in upstairs area around 2:15 pm on Sherwood Drive. Smoke and flames could be seen instantly down the street.
That prompted several neighbors, like Clarence Durette, to run over and help.

"After we hollered and screamed, we didn't hear nobody, so we felt safe. But the blaze was so high," Durette said.

The owner says she heard a popping noise, and then saw the flames. She quickly got her three kids outside to what is usually a quiet neighborhood. Firefighters showed up about 7 minutes later.

"It makes you feel concerned, but the main thing is far as I know, no one got hurt. So everything that happened, everything that burned up, I'm sure is replaceable," Durette said.

Even though the fire spread to the attic, Captain Nathan Ramsey with the Augusta County Fire Department, says there is a silver lining in a large fire like this.

"So far there's no injuries, no injuries to fire fighters. Even the pets made it out safe, so I consider it all in all, a pretty good day," Ramsey said.

The cause is under investigation. In the mean time, the community is coming together to help the family.

"The neighbors have showed a very good outpouring of clothes, food, money. I've heard of people donating money," Ramsey said.

The Red Cross is also helping out with shelter. Virginia State Police are taking over the investigation. While there's no word on a cause yet, they are brought in because the damage is so bad.

© Copyright 2013 WHSV / Gray Television Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.