After an Army veteran lost his home in an early morning fire at the Northland mobile home park on Thursday, neighbors have stepped up to help.
The fire started around 6 a.m. on Thursday at the home of Kent Tarner.
Tarner told 41 Action News that the fire likely started in his dryer after he left for his job.
"I left for work and forgot my cellphone," he explained. "I came back and opened the door and the place was on fire. I was only gone eight minutes, nine minutes at the most. By the time I got back, it was full of smoke."
Tarner was able to rescue his two dogs but lost almost everything he owned in the fire.
As he dealt with the devastation, neighbors close by stepped in to help.
Heather Webster, who lives near Tarner, wanted to help him recover after he lost his home.
After losing her own home last spring to a fire, she knew all too well the impact of the devastation.
"It's horrible. You lose everything in five minutes. Your life is just changed in five minutes," she said. "You lose everything, even a toothbrush, deodorant, anything you can think of you lose."
Webster told 41 Action News that she carried over a box of personal and household items to Tarner, containing unused items that were donated to her family following last year's fire.
Later on Thursday, a local group stopped by Tarner's home to board up his windows for free.
"That's what communities do," Webster explained. "We stick together and come forward when everybody needs help."
After receiving the help, Tarner said he was grateful for the generosity.
"This area, it's like people know and people care," he said.
Webster also set up a GoFundMe page for Tarner to help raise money for him. To donate, click here.
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Tom Dempsey can be reached at Tom.Dempsey@KSHB.com.
