ALEXANDRIA, Virginia: Parents and teachers held an Alexandria clothing drive on August 2 for a family of 10 who lost their belongings in a house fire over the Fourth of July weekend.
Asia Nichols, her husband and their eight children lost their possessions after their home’s roof caught fire. The house remains boarded up, according to NBC4 Washington.
“We had no idea that anything was on fire,” Nichols said. She added that the home’s smoke alarm did not sound.
The fire’s official cause remains under investigation. Nichols believes fireworks may have caused the blaze. However, investigators have not confirmed that account.
Investigators told NBC4 that residents reported fireworks in the area around the time of the fire. Crews also found fireworks packaging after arriving at the scene.
The Alexandria Fire Department prohibits people from buying, selling, storing or using fireworks anywhere in the city.
Nichols’ children range in age from 2 to 11. Six attend Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School. Teachers and parents collected new and gently used clothing during Sunday’s drive.
Organiser Cynthia Swisher said community members wanted to help the family prepare for the new school year. Separately, supporters created a fundraiser to help replace furniture and other household essentials.
