Young family forced to rebuild following house fire in Long County

LUDOWICI, Ga. (WTOC) - A Long County family was left with nothing more than a few bags of smoke-filled clothing after a fire destroyed their home Monday night.

The family was there Tuesday rummaging through some of the back rooms to see if there was anything they would be able to save after the house fire.

They say the only things they walked away with were a few garbage bags of clothing they are hoping to clean and remove the smell of smoke.

Tuesday, the couple and their two children returned to see what’s left of their home.

Though there isn’t much left to save, there are four people who are safe tonight.

This video, captured on a neighbor’s security footage, shows the terrifying moments of the Ludowici house in flames, while neighbors rush to aid the family still inside.

See the video below:

You can see the family’s two young children running out of the burning house, followed by the parents, as neighbors call for help.

“It was like a movie scene, they opened up the door, and we were running out,” Said the home owner Isaiah Robinson.

Shortly before 7:00 p.m. Monday night, the Long County Fire Department arrived at Franklin Tree Road Drive and tried to save what they could. The Long County Fire Department confirmed they arrived within a minute of the call but over 75% of the home was already engulfed in flames. They believe that the home is a total loss.

They say the investigation into what caused the fire is still ongoing.

The family says they were inside when they heard a big bang. When they went to see what happened, all they saw was smoke.

“Before I knew it, smoke was everywhere,” said Robinson. “My first thought was to get the kids out and run, I then had to go back in for our dog.”

Less than 24 hours later, Isaiah Robinson and his family are returning to their first home. They says they had lived there fewer than two years.

“It still hits, it still hits hard,” He says. “But I have to stay strong so that my family is okay.”

When asked if there was anything sentimental they could save, Robinson explained: “No, everything was gone, the heat torched it.”

No one was injured, and the American Red Cross is helping with temporary housing. But at 26, Isaiah says they will be completely starting over.

“You wish for the best and you take it all,” said Robinson.

The community in Long County has since started a GoFundMe and donated clothing for the family.

Robinson and his family say they are overwhelmed with the support they have received from their community.

“I stay to myself so I don’t know a whole lot of people on that level but to see that so many people who don’t even know me are willing to help me and my family out? That’s amazing,” said Robinson.