West End Volunteer Firefighter and Family Lose Home in Lawrence County Fire

A Lawrence County family is facing the difficult task of rebuilding after a residential fire left their home a total loss Wednesday morning in the West End Fire District. Lawrence County Fire Rescue units were dispatched to the fire at approximately 11:42 a.m. on August 26. The first unit arrived within five minutes and found a mobile home with smoke and flames coming from the windows and roofline on one side of the residence. Firefighters immediately began an aggressive interior attack and were able to quickly extinguish the flames before the fire spread beyond the area where it began. Although the fire was largely contained to one side of the home, extensive fire, smoke, heat and water damage caused the residence to be deemed a total loss. No injuries were reported. Amanda Coleman, who works from home, had taken the family’s dog, Duke, outside shortly before the fire was discovered. When she returned inside, she heard the home’s smoke alarms sounding and found a window air-conditioning unit engulfed in flames. Amanda called 911 and was able to gather several important items, including medications and clothing for the family’s grandson, before safely leaving the home. Fire officials said the home’s working smoke alarms successfully alerted the occupants to the danger. Elliot and Amanda Coleman shared the home with their 7-year-old son, their daughter Lydia and their 1-year-old grandson. Elliot has served with the West End Volunteer Fire Department for approximately 10 years, answering emergency calls and helping protect families throughout the community. Now, the Coleman family is the one in need of support as they begin recovering from the devastating loss of their home and belongings. A GoFundMe has been established to help the family with clothing, food, temporary housing, transportation, household necessities and other immediate expenses. A link to the fundraiser can be found on the WLX Facebook page. The family is also in need of a computer desk. Anyone who has one available and would like to donate it is encouraged to reach out. Any contribution could make a meaningful difference for a family that has spent years serving others. The community is also asked to keep the Coleman family in its thoughts and prayers as they begin rebuilding their lives.