Kids & Family

Fund Created To Help Woodstock Family Who Lost Home in July 4 Fire

A fire that occurred during the overnight hours on July 4 destroyed the Pingley family's home, which is located in the Deer Run subdivision.

A fund has been created to help the Woodstock family whose home was heavily damaged in a fire that started during the overnight hours on July 4.

Residents can donate to the Pingley Family's Fire Rescue Fund, which has a goal to collect $3,000. As of early Wednesday afternoon, $2,530 has been raised.

Amanda Pingley, a second-grade teacher at Carmel Elementary School, noted her husband Scott Pingley "saved our lives" the night of the fire.

"Thank God the girls were not home," she said on her Facebook profile. "Our house is a total loss. I left with the clothes in my back....everything is gone, but we're safe."

A local restaurant has also signed on to help the family. 

On Monday, July 14, Stevi B's Pizza in Woodstock will donate a portion of its proceeds to the family. They will also be collecting non-perishable food items for the Pingleys.

Residents can dine or stop by Stevi B's location at 10020 Highway 92 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. to either eat or drop off food items. 

Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services and Woodstock Fire and Rescue both responded to a structure fire call just before 3 a.m. Friday, July 4 at 128 Bear Cave Trail, located in the Deer Run Subdivision off Towne Lake Parkway.

Firefighters arrived onto the scene and found the deck of the two-story house on fire with "heavy flames" showing, said Cherokee Fire spokesperson Tim Cavender. 

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Firefighters were able to get a "quick stop" on the fire within minutes after arrival, Cavender added.  

Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas noted an "aggressive, careful and coordinated attack" on the fire at the home contributed to the agencies successfully containing the fire.

Find out what's happening in Woodstock-Towne Lakewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Although the damage sustained to the structure was significant, the quick, coordinated effort by the responding firefighters controlled what had the potential to be extensive and widespread,” Soumas added.  

The fire has been ruled "accidental," Woodstock Fire Investigator Lt. Bobby Stilson said.

Stilson added he's unable to rule out possible electrical failure of the home's deck lighting, and further testing would have to be done by an electrical engineer. 


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