Family of 11 Loses Home and Vehicles in New Kent County Fire

Community rallies to support family after devastating blaze destroys their single-story house.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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A family of 11 in New Kent County, Virginia safely evacuated their home on Saturday morning after a fire fully engulfed their single-story house and destroyed their vehicles. The home is considered a total loss, and the family was unable to retrieve any of their belongings. Firefighters from seven different jurisdictions responded to the remote location, facing significant challenges due to heavy fire, high winds, and icy conditions.

Why it matters

House fires can be devastating, especially for large families, and this incident highlights the importance of fire safety and community support in the face of such tragedies. The remote location and lack of nearby fire hydrants also underscore the challenges rural fire departments can face in responding to emergencies.

The details

The New Kent County Fire-Rescue responded to the home on Lynn Lake Court around 9:32 a.m. on February 7th. First-arriving units found the single-story house with a walk-out basement fully engulfed in flames. The family, including parents Tammy Toots and Bryant Gauldin and their 9 children ranging from 4 to 23 years old, were able to safely evacuate the burning building. However, the home and all of the family's belongings were destroyed.

  • The fire was reported to 911 around 9:32 a.m. on February 7, 2026.
  • Firefighters from seven different jurisdictions responded to the scene.

The players

Tammy Toots

One of the parents of the family of 11 who lost their home in the fire.

Bryant Gauldin

One of the parents of the family of 11 who lost their home in the fire.

New Kent County Fire-Rescue

The fire department that responded to the blaze and worked to extinguish the flames.

Richard Opett

The New Kent County Fire Chief who provided details about the fire and response.

Savannah Turner

The organizer of a GoFundMe campaign to support the family after the fire.

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What they’re saying

“They were woken up Saturday morning to a house filled with smoke and engulfed in flames. They were unable to grab any of their belongings from the house.”

— Savannah Turner, GoFundMe Organizer (GoFundMe)

What’s next

The New Kent Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of the fire, which remains under investigation. Community members are collecting donations including clothing, toiletries, household essentials and vehicles for the family. Items can be dropped off at the New Kent Parks & Recreation Gym during business hours Monday through Friday.

The takeaway

This devastating fire serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of fire safety and the need for strong community support when disaster strikes. The challenges faced by the rural fire department in responding to the blaze also highlight the unique challenges that can arise in protecting families living in remote areas.