Nicole June Reporting
njune@clarksvillenow.com
CUNNINGHAM, Tenn. – A family of 14 lost their home early Tuesday morning to a fire on Attaway Road in Cunningham, TN.
According to Chief Brandon McCurdy with Cunningham Volunteer Fire Department, the fire began around 12:30 a.m., and when firefighters arrived on the scene, the house was already fully engulfed. “There was no chance to save anything, we just tried to keep it contained,” he said.
The home was a total loss, and firefighters are unsure of the cause. “As much damage as there is, there’s really no way to tell,” Chief McCurdy
said. “There’s nothing to look at for point of origin. It would just be speculation.”
Jim and Martha Flake, the parents of 12 children ranging from middle school-aged to adults, were out of town at the time. Four family members were home when the fire started. All four were able to get out of the house safely, and no one was injured. Chief McCurdy said the family’s dogs woke them up in time.
Matt James, a neighbor of the Flakes, said the children knocked on his door around 12:30 a.m. for help. “They were in pajamas and their bare feet, so I gave them clothes. There wasn’t anything else I could do,” he said. “You just never know, things can go very fast.”
James said the Flake family is well known and liked in the community. “They’re very respectful people, and they’d help anybody in the neighborhood without asking for a dime. They all just jump in and help out,” he said.
Hilltop Supermarket has stepped up to collect donations for the Flake family. Everything was lost in the blaze, so clothing, furniture, and everyday items are needed. All of the girls wear women’s size 7-10 in pants, 8-9 in shoes, and small or medium shirts. One boy in the home wears size 14 husky pants, small men’s shirts, and size 9 shoes.
All donations can be dropped off at Hilltop Supermarket at 400 Highway 49.
Monetary donations can also be made on the Give Forward fundraising page.
Photos courtesy of Chief Brandon McCurdy, Cunningham Volunteer Fire Department
The Flake Family-GiveForward.com