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Family Looks For Help After Fire Destroys Home

Story Published: Jan 24, 2013 at 7:31 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jan 24, 2013 at 7:31 PM EDT

There's not much left of the Martin's home on Brown Road in Mannsville.

The family was burned out Monday morning.

Just after midnight, Robert Martin woke up to a smoke-filled room.

"You couldn't even breathe in there, I mean the smoke was just getting in my throat. I couldn't even talk, nothing. I was trying to yell. Couldn't talk, nothing," said Robert.

The fire started in the addition and spread quickly throughout the rest of the house.

Daughter, Lelia, and her 3 kids lived in the addition, and luckily they weren't here the night of the fire.

The electrical fire pretty much destroyed the house.

Everyone did make it out alive - Robert, Renee and their 3 children - but they lost everything.

"We're trying. Basically all we got is each other, so we're going to do what we have to do. Be a family and be there for each other. That's all we can do," said Lelia.

The family has been staying at a hotel, paid for by the Red Cross, but that runs out and they don't know where they'll be staying next.

"From here on out, I don't know what we're going to do," said Robert.

The Martins are asking for help from the community.

Money, food, clothes - they need it all.

Donations can be sent to 522 Lansing Street in Watertown.

The family is also organizing a benefit to help raise money for rebuilding.

It will be at the American Legion in Brownville on March 10.

Saturday, May 25, 2013
, Watertown, NY

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