Lehigh Acres family loses home, dog in Christmas Day fire tragedy

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. - A Lehigh Acres family is facing the difficult task of starting over after a Christmas Day house fire destroyed their home and killed one of their dogs.

The fire broke out at a home in Lehigh Acres while the family was away visiting relatives nearby. The homeowner, Justin Elrod, said they realized something was wrong when they saw smoke in the area and checked their home security cameras.

“We seen smoke while I was coming down the road,” Elrod said. “She checked the cameras instantly, and we knew right then it was our house.”

The family arrived just behind fire crews and tried to get inside, but Elrod said an electronic lock would not open. With their two children safe, their focus quickly turned to their pets.

“Our main concern was to get the dogs out,” Elrod said.

Elrod’s wife, Brittany, broke a window to enter the home, cutting her arm in the process. Elrod said he went inside with her as thick smoke filled the house. Three dogs were rescued, including one that Elrod says he performed CPR on after firefighters brought the dog outside.

Their dog Swirl, did not survive.

“They matter. They’re my babies, dogs were not crated. They were not crated at all. They're never crated,” Brittany Elrod said.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire, but the home suffered extensive fire, smoke, and water damage. Elrod said nearly everything inside was destroyed, from clothing and medications to school supplies and Christmas gifts for their two children.

“It’s just total loss,” he said. “The clothes we have is what’s on our back.”

The family says they have lived in the home for nearly 15 years and that their children grew up in the neighborhood. Now, they are staying in a fifth wheel brought in by family members as they try to figure out their next steps.

“Take it hour by hour, day by day,” Elrod said. “It’s gonna be a big restart for me and her and the kids.”

Brittany Elrod said asking for help doesn’t come easily, but the family is grateful for the support they’ve already received from neighbors and the community.

“I don’t like asking for help, but I’m desperate,” she said. “I don’t know what else to do.”

Fire officials told WINK News on Thursday the fire was electrical, but say the investigation is still active and a final report has not yet been released.

The family says they may share ways the community can help in the coming days once they’ve had time to process the loss.