Alabama mother and son with special needs lose everything to a fire

ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT) — Ashes are all that is left of the home that Patricia Garner has lived in for more than a decade. 

A fire ripped through a home, leaving Garner and her son with special needs with nothing but the clothes on their backs, and they are struggling to get back on their feet. 

Garner told News 19 that they lost everything on a very cold morning on February 18, to a fire that quickly got out of control before she could react. 

The Limestone County Sheriff’s Office determined that the fire was caused by a faulty space heater.   

“Everything is gone in just a blink of an eye,” Garner explained. “Stuff that belonged to both of my parents, all my belongings. I am homeless and sleeping in my car.” 

Garner said she and her son Jack, have been homeless since that day. Jack is blind and often requires the use of a wheelchair. 

Jack also relies on much-needed medical supplies, all of which Gardner said were burned in the home.  

Now they are left picking up the pieces, but it has been difficult to replace the equipment Jack uses. 

“I do need a place to go to take care of my son, and I need a home to take him home to. It’s harder on him than it is me, you know,” said Garner.  

A GoFundMe has been set up so that the family can purchase a camper.