House fire leaves WinstonSalem family sifting through ashes on Christmas
Dec 25, 2024
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) — While many families celebrated Christmas at home, one Winston-Salem mother spent the day sifting through the ashes of hers.
Monica Taylor’s house on Yale Avenue caught fire Monday, leaving her and her four children, all under the age of eight, with nothing.
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“This was going to be our forever home,” Taylor said. “We had just put up our Christmas tree the night before. Everything is gone.”
Taylor, who became a homeowner in October, now lives in a hotel room with her children. The fire destroyed not only their belongings but also her plans to open a home-based salon.
“I tried to get as much as I could. Then I realized that with me and my son’s health issues, I wasn’t going to be able to keep anything. There wasn’t anything we could salvage,” said Taylor.
Despite the devastation, Taylor said she remains grateful for her children.
“I have to stay positive for them,” she said. “These boys are my support system. They make it okay, they make it bearable.”
The community has rallied around the family, providing clothing, supplies and support. Taylor said the kindness has been a source of hope during this difficult time.
“I’ve had people contacting me nonstop, saying, ‘I’ve been through something like this before,’” Taylor said. “Even if they can’t give physically, their prayers and kind words mean the world to us. That’s what’s making us get through this.”
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Taylor and her children will remain in their hotel for the foreseeable future.
If you’d like to help, you can do so at a GoFundMe setup by Taylor.