PLAINFIELD TWP, Mich.-- A Kent County family nearly lost everything inlcuding their two pets in a house fire on Christmas Eve. Now, a group of firefighters is determined to give the family a Merry Christmas.
They’re not wearing red, but these Plainfield township firefighters might as well be called Santa.
Just hours earlier, fire crews were at a mobile home in Belmont after flames broke out.
"This family is alive today because last week they put a new battery in their smoke detector," explained Lt. John Denemy of the Plainfield Township Fire Department.
It’s believed the fire started near the furnace around 1:30 in the morning.
While much of the structure was saved, nearly everything inside was damaged.
"These are the worst times to get calls," said firefighter Casey Quinn.
But the firefighters wanted to give the family, which includes 5 young children, the best Christmas they could.
"Now we get to do the fun stuff. We are shopping for a different purpose. I like to call it shopping with a smile," said Quinn.
With donations from the community, fellow firefighters, and a $500 donation from Meijer, the guys hit the store aisles to pick out gifts for the family.
"It's Christmas, its supposed to be fun, joyous. Hopefully any the end of tonight we can get that miracle of Christmas back to them," added Quinn.
The family might also have a home by Christmas. The fire department is working with the mobile home park to get temporary housing for them.
A Go Fund Me account has also been set up.
