Fire Chief Fighting Wildfires Loses Home To A Fire

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Posted: 8:45 AM Jun 20, 2008
Last Updated: 8:45 AM Jun 20, 2008

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A North Carolina volunteer firefighter battling the massive wildfire in the eastern part of the state had to leave when he got the call that his own home was on fire.

Stantonsburg Fire Chief Brandon Epps had been in Hyde County
helping protect homes close to the fire line when he was told
Monday to call home.

His Farmville home was a total loss. His wife, April;
15-month-old son Landon; and mother, Nancy Johnson escaped
unharmed. Five family dogs and a couple of cats died in the fire.

Brandon Epps told the Wilson Daily Times that when he got the
news, he headed home.

Epps says he's not sure what caused the fire, but suspects it
was an electrical malfunction in a wall socket.

The wildfire that started June 1 has burned about 41,000 acres
in the sparsely populated area of three eastern counties.

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Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 20, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Still hoping someone will post a way to send donations to the Epps family!

Posted by: Concerned Location: Washington County on Jun 20, 2008 at 04:34 PM
To Fire Chief Epps and his family - I am so sorry for your loss. Thankfully your family survived this terrible tragedy. Thank you seems like such a small thing to say to you and your fellow fire fighters who have been here battling this monster fire. Words cannot express our gratitude for your time spent here. Because you are so willing to give, others will give back to you. The material things of this world can be replaced as you being a fire fighter well know. I'm sure you have seen and dealt with other folks' loss. If someone from his hometown would post where donations could be sent it would be appreciated.

Posted by: J Location: NC on Jun 20, 2008 at 03:12 PM
Animama, maybe the barely had enough time to get out themselves

Posted by: Cliff Saxon Location: Altoona, AL on Jun 20, 2008 at 02:44 PM
I was deeply saddened to hear about this. I hope that all will come out okay for this family.

Posted by: Animama Location: NC on Jun 20, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Why couldn't the pets be saved????

Posted by: Formerly Location: from Hyde on Jun 20, 2008 at 10:12 AM
I'm so saddened to read this. I am sincerely so sorry for the Epps family. Thank you, to their loved one, for lending his assistance to Hyde. We deeply appreciate it & are so saddened for your loss, while he was away. Please set up a resource for us to make donations to your family, if you haven't already, to allow us here in Hyde, to express our condolences/appreciation.

Posted by: EML Spencer Location: Rural Hyde Co/NC on Jun 20, 2008 at 09:51 AM
I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank God your family members got out and are ok physically. Sorry about your pets, they become almost like family members but in time can be replaced if wanted. Thank you also for being in Hyde Co. to help, you people that came from everywhere were a God sent blessing. Is there a bank that has an account set up for monetary donations? If so, have someone post it on WITN's site, please. God Bless each of you.

Posted by: Tyrrell Native Location: Columbia on Jun 19, 2008 at 09:12 PM
Is there a place/location donations may be made or sent to assist the Epps family?