Family's Only Car Destroyed in Morganton Gas Station Fire

The family's special needs son has weekly medical appointments 60 miles away in Charlotte.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 8:40pm

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An extreme close-up of a severely damaged and melted car key fob, conceptually representing the loss of a family's only vehicle in a sudden gas station fire.The remains of a family's only vehicle, destroyed in a sudden gas station fire, now symbolize the challenges they face in providing essential transportation for their special needs child.Charlotte Today

A family in Morganton, North Carolina lost their only vehicle when it caught fire at a gas station. The car belonged to Breanna Norton and Austin Fulp, who have a special needs son named Matix that requires frequent medical appointments in Charlotte, over an hour away. The family is now asking the community for help to replace the car, as their insurance does not cover the full cost of the damages.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the challenges faced by families with special needs children who rely on a single vehicle for essential transportation. The loss of their only car puts a significant strain on the family's ability to get Matix to his critical medical appointments in a timely manner.

The details

The fire broke out after Norton and Fulp had just pulled into the Speedway gas station in Morganton. When Fulp went to pay, he smelled something burning and saw flames coming from the car. Firefighters were able to respond quickly and put out the fire, but the car was completely destroyed. The family says the car had seen a lot of use due to Matix's frequent medical needs.

  • The incident occurred on Wednesday, April 10, 2026.

The players

Breanna Norton

The mother of the family whose only vehicle was destroyed in the gas station fire.

Austin Fulp

The father of the family whose only vehicle was destroyed in the gas station fire.

Matix

The family's special needs son who requires weekly medical appointments in Charlotte, over an hour away from their home in Morganton.

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What they’re saying

“'When he got out, he said, 'Get out...get out, the car is on fire,'”

— Breanna Norton

“'I just seen flames shooting out the drivers side…side tires,”

— Austin Fulp

“'He is extremely important. He is an angel in our lives, God is going to take care of us and god has always taken care of Matix and provided for him and I trust in him to continue to do that,'”

— Breanna Norton

What’s next

The family has set up a donation page to help raise funds for a replacement vehicle, as their insurance does not cover the full cost of the damages.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the vital importance of reliable transportation for families with special needs children who require frequent medical care. The community's support will be crucial in helping this family regain their mobility and ensure Matix can continue receiving the care he needs.