House Fire Leaves Azle Military Family In The Cold

AZLE (CBSDFW.COM) - A house fire in Azle has left a military family without a home this holiday season.

Flames destroyed the home of James and Angela Garrett early Sunday morning.

Damage from fire, smoke and water have left the house, in the 800 block of Lakecrest Parkway, charred and mostly destroyed. The roof is completely gone.

Firefighters received a 911 call from a neighbor who noticed flames shooting out of the house, around Midnight on Sunday.

The Garrett family, which includes two teenage sons, was away at the time, but returned Monday to assess the damage and salvage what they could.

James Garrett is an Army sergeant, and has served overseas in Iraq. Many of his military keepsakes, along with most of the family's belongings, are now melted almost beyond recognition.

Amazingly, the baby books of their two children made it through the fire virtually untarnished, but nearly everything else in their home was destroyed.

"Losing pictures and memories, you know, you can replace the couch and stuff like that, but things from when they [children] were little, things that held sentimental value that's the hardest thing," Angela Garrett said emotionally.

Fire investigators are still trying to determine how the fire started, but feel confident it didn't start in the fireplace or with the Christmas tree… which are common fire causes this time of year.

Despite everything, the family says they're very thankful this season.

The family is still trying to figure out where they're going to live, but for now the Red Cross has put them up in a motel.