TEMPLE, TX — Friday, October 2, 2020, will be a day the William's family will never forget. Now as they look at the pieces of what’s left of their family home, they are all just thankful they still have each other.
Before dawn last Friday, Keriauntay Braziel and her six family members were suddenly woken up by her toddler nephew.
“We thought he just needed his bottle because usually, he wants his bottle in the middle of the night, but she said he kept constantly waking up. Once my sister woke up, she was in shock. She was like, ‘Y'all the house is on fire,’” said Keriauntay Braziel.
“I could see the big plume of black smoke. I know what's happening. I know what's happening. But I am watching the smoke, and when I come around and get a little closer I could see the fire... The orange... Just licking up through the smoke. The only thing I was worried about was my family,” said the homeowner's sister, Anna Shelton.
The fire spread quickly and was the strongest at the front of the house.
All the windows were armed with burglar bars. All except one: the window in the very back on the second floor.
“We were able to get to the back of the house. Once we broke the window, immediately within ten seconds it got smokey and black. My sister immediately had to jump so that we could throw the kids out the window and she could catch the kids. Then we all just started jumping for our lives,” said Keriauntay Braziel.
All seven family members were able to get out safely. Veola Williams, the 73-year-old grandmother and homeowner, was the last one out and rushed to the hospital.
“She really needs us at this moment, so we can’t be broken down too much in front of her, because she lost everything,” said Keriauntay Braziel.
“When I see her in such pain and know there is nothing I can do... but just be there for her. For her to know that she has lost all, all that she has, “said Anna Shelton.
The family holds each other just a little bit tighter today, and every day as they know to never take a single moment for granted.
Grandma Ve went through surgery today on Wednesday, but no longer has a place to come home to. The family is asking for help from the community as they look to rebuild.
If you would like to help Veola Williams and the family you can go to their go fund me page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/granny-survives-2-story-fall-escaping-fire.
