Community Rallies Together After Family Loses Home to Fire in Irmo, S.C.
IRMO, S.C. — In a heart-wrenching tale of loss and community spirit, Larkin Newberry and her partner, Jesse Matthews, are grappling with the shock of losing their home to a devastating fire just a week ago. As they sift through the ashes, filled with both sorrow and gratitude, it’s the little things that bring back cherished memories. Amongst the charred remnants of their living room, Newberry discovers a small concrete mold of their intertwined hands with their 11-year-old daughter, Cece, still clinging tightly onto her parents. Covered in soot, this fragile keepsake became a symbol of their family’s bond amidst tragedy.
Newberry described the night of the fire, recalling how they had taken Cece to a friend’s house in Charleston for the night. Everything seemed fine until she received a disturbing alert from her Ring doorbell app. It was a typical evening—until she saw her neighbor, clearly panicked, at their front door. “I looked at it, and I didn’t really look at him. I said, ‘No, this guy looks really panicked, like he was running back and forth,’” Newberry shared, describing the urgency in his demeanor. When she answered the door, he quickly informed her: “There’s smoke coming out of your house. I’m calling 911.”
Within minutes, their home was consumed by flames, and new stories of bravery began to unfold. Alisha Gran and her husband drove by the home, noticing the ominous smoke but seeing no emergency vehicles. Concerned for the family, Gran urged her husband to halt the car, and without hesitation, she leapt into action. “When I got up to the gate, I noticed it was open and there was a man there who had managed to get the door open,” she recounted. This man had also witnessed the chaos unfold and was trying to help.
With the thick smoke billowing out of their home, Gran ventured inside multiple times in a desperate attempt to rescue Newberry and Matthews’ two beloved dogs and their cat. Sadly, the smoke proved too overwhelming, and the animals could not be saved. “It meant so much to us that they were trying, you know, because we feel so powerless,” Newberry said, her gratitude evident through her voice. Even from afar, as they watched the nightmare unfold, the awareness that their community was actively stepping up to assist provided some solace.
Feeling a wave of emotion and appreciation, Newberry took to Facebook later that day to express her heartfelt thanks to those who had tried to help, sparking a connection with Gran. Little did they know, this digital message would lead to an uplifting meeting. As the two women hugged for the first time, cameras rolled, capturing the sincerity of their first encounter—a moment filled with warmth and understanding.
“I feel a lot of sadness for them and I want to help them in any way,” Gran shared, her smile brightening the somber situation. “I feel like I’ve possibly made a new friend,” she added, reflecting on the bond that had formed through this crisis.
Despite the heartbreak of losing their home, Newberry emphasized how this experience underscored the importance of community and human connection. “Life does suck. We go through so much. You know, we have both experienced massive loss in our lives, and I think people need reminders that there are people who will stop—having no idea what they’re running into—to try and save someone’s pets,” she said, with deep gratitude. “There are good people out there.”
This moving story serves as not just a recount of heartache but also a powerful reminder of the resilience and kindness that can shine through in even the darkest moments. As the community comes together to support Newberry, Matthews, and their daughter Cece, it becomes clear that out of destruction, a renewed sense of hope and friendship can flourish.
