A fire that consumed a Leeds family’s home led them to know how much they actually have.

Disaster strikes somebody, somewhere every day and it seems to strike when we least expect it. That was certainly true for a Leeds family who lost their home to a fire on January 17.

The fire consumed the Poplar home and was a complete loss for Thomas and Jessica Mooney and their three children. Still, the family is finding plenty of reasons to be grateful through the loss.

That Monday morning began like most others for the Mooneys. Thomas Mooney had left for work and Jessica had taken their three children – Peyton, 12; Olyvia, 7; and Xander, 6 – along with her to take care of a few chores. While they were gone, their nephew who also lives in the neighborhood saw flames from the house, which led to the 911 call.

The Leeds Fire Department responded to the scene, but as the smoke cleared there was little left of the Mooney’s home.

The Mooneys were helpless as they watched the home and all of their possessions consumed by flames. But, the experience has taught them a lot about people and themselves.

“The kids were devastated,” Jessica said. “They lost things they had possessed for years and everything they had gotten for Christmas. They just watched it all burn.”

 Yet, she said she was surprised when her children spoke of the loss.

“They told me how sorry they were that their family and friends had spent money for the gifts they no longer had. They seemed to be more upset about that than not having their toys and clothes,” she said.

Jessica said there home was an older one and that she and her husband had been working to make needed updates.

“It was very hard watching all of our work be destroyed. We lost everything,” she said.

It turns out the wiring in the home was the culprit of the fire, originating from an outlet in the living room, according to Jessica.

Piece by piece, the Mooneys began rebuilding their lives. They have found temporary living arrangements with family who live in the same neighborhood and others in the community stepped up to help.

“We have been overcome with blessings – the biggest of all being that we were not in the house when the fire started. We had not been out of the house 10 or 15 minutes before the fire started,” Jessica said.

The Mooneys said they felt compelled to thank those who have given to them during their time of need. They have received support from local residents and businesses as well as those from Jessica’s hometown of Cordova.

“We have received help from a lot of people, many of them anonymously. It has been overwhelming and we feel compelled to reach out and thank these people in some way. Thanks to their support, we haven’t even had to reach out to the Red Cross,” she said.

The Mooneys certainly were not expecting to be in a position where they would be in need of community support.

“We’ve never been on this side. We’ve always tried to help other people. A lot of those who have helped us don’t even know us. It’s been such a blessing,” she said.

Among those extending support, Jessica said, is the Leeds City School System where the three children attend.

The Mooneys are now on a mission to find a new home, hopefully one in Leeds, Jessica said. When they do move in, Jessica said she would be more diligent in checking her fire alarms and cautions others to do the same.

“I believe everyone needs to check their fire alarms – check them even more than you already do,” she said. “We tested our alarms, but they didn’t go off until the fire was out.”

The experience has also provided a valuable lesson to the three children, according to Jessica.

“Our children have learned that there is more good than bad in this world. It has been absolutely amazing,” she said.

The Mooneys can see a day coming when their lives will return to normal thanks in large part to those who have supported them during their time of need.

“It was a horrific experience. But, we have been very blessed. God has protected us and many people have opened their hearts to us and for that we are very thankful,” she said.