ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A fire that spread through the garage of a Port St. Lucie home Friday afternoon left a father injured and displaced a family, while neighbors and church members rallied to help them begin the cleanup process.
The fire happened on Carmelite Street in the Northport Village neighborhood near St. Lucie West.
According to the family, the fire started in the kitchen before spreading through the garage. They say a propane tank later exploded, causing additional damage and impacting a neighbor’s garage doors across the street.
The St. Lucie County Fire District responded to the home around 1:30 p.m. Crews arrived to find heavy fire coming from the garage.
When firefighters extinguished the flames, significant damage was left behind, including a charred garage door, blackened walls and belongings covered in soot.
Renter Nigel Laidlow was inside the home when the fire broke out. He suffered burns to his legs and was transported for medical treatment.
Port St. Lucie family is beginning the cleanup process after a fire damaged their home. Church members and friends spent the day helping salvage belongings. (WPEC)
“I don’t even know how to describe it. It was really surreal,” Laidlow said. “I would’ve never thought a little fire would turn into this.”
By Saturday, family photos, furniture and other belongings were spread across the front yard as loved ones worked to salvage what they could.
Members of the Fort Pierce Seventh-day Adventist Church spent the day helping move and sort through damaged items.
“We have a really strong support system, especially from my church,” Laidlow said.
Despite the loss, Laidlow said he is grateful his family survived.
“This right here is something not anybody would like to deal with. Not in a lifetime,” he said.
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The family is now focused on recovering and determining its next steps.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.