Renita Shilling and her family are still optimistic after a fire Wednesday morning left them and two other families homeless.

"Everybody got out alive and we've had people give us money and ask for the the kids' clothes sizes and our sizes." says Shilling.

Family friend, Dustin Wendell, helped clear the house before the fire departments were on scene. And says they might've never known anything was happening if he hadn't walked outside.

"I came outside and a girl said is everything ok and she said your house is on fire and then I saw the fire." says Wendell.

"Friends and neighbors came from everywhere." says Shilling.

"I thought this wasn't a very good community until that night." says family friend, Amanda Crawford.

Although friends, family, and the Red Cross have helped, Renita, her daughter, and two grandchildren are still lacking one thing they desperately need.

"I want a home and my kids want a home." says Renita's daughter, Kathy Cottrell.


The building with three apartments is completely gutted, but Shilling says already people have tried breaking in to steal what little is left.

But Cottrell says two things they were able to save are a sign that better things are still to come.

"The Bible and mom's angels were saved. The Lord was watching over us and I'll always be thankful." says Cottrell.

The cause of the fire is still unknown.

If you'd like to help the family you can send any donations to:

Renita Shilling
624 Chestnut Street, Apartment B.
St. Albans, WV 25177