Ringgold family loses home to fire

The shock still hasn’t quite settled for a family whose house and belongings were destroyed in a fire Sunday night.

“It was just ablaze,” Mary Shelton, a married mother of three, said of the inferno that engulfed their home at 649 Neal/Davis Road in Ringgold. “I’ve been in shock ever since. I’m just devastated.”

The family, including Mary’s husband Rickie and their three children, 11-year-old R.J., Mary Brooke, 8, and 9-month-old son MacKennon, suffered no injuries. They are staying with Angela Burdett, Rickie’s sister, who lives nearby.

Kentuck Volunteer Fire Department, assisted by Ringgold Volunteer Fire & Rescue and Laurel Grove Volunteer Fire & Rescue, responded to a report of the fire at about 10 p.m. Sunday.

Kentuck Fire Chief Terry L. Barker said in a news release that firefighters arrived to find heavy fire coming through the roof from above the carport and kitchen area. High winds spread the blaze quickly throughout the attic, and the house sustained heavy damage. The flames left the vinyl-sided structure without a roof and burned all the family’s belongings, including the children’s Christmas gifts, Mary Shelton said. The basement also sustained water damage, Barker said.

Nick Samuels, captain of the Kentuck Volunteer Fire Department, sustained a hip injury during the fire when the kitchen floor gave way, Barker said. He was transported to Danville Regional Medical Center.

Mike Neal, Ringgold Fire & Rescue chief, said they were on the scene until about 12:30 a.m.

Mary Shelton, who was at her sister-in-law’s house when the fire started, said her brother and her daughter spotted the fire on the carport and Mary Brooke alerted her father. Rickie told R.J. to get MacKennon while their daughter grabbed the dog, Mary Shelton said. The family, and numerous pets including a dog, cat, gecko and a hamster, made it out alive. But Albino, their English parakeet, and numerous fish kept in a 55-gallon saltwater tank died in the blaze, Mary Shelton said.

Though beloved animals died and the home, a 7 1/2-year-old structure built by Rickie, was left uninhabitable, Mary Shelton said she is grateful. She credits God for helping her family through the ordeal and thanks her friends, members of her community and her church, Victory Baptist Church, for gifts and assistance.

“I’m just glad my family is OK,” she said, adding that they have homeowners insurance. She said she would like to build another house in the same spot on Neal/Davis Road. The couple’s children will receive gifts and have a Christmas this year, she said.

Those wishing to donate food, clothes, toys and other items to the Sheltons can call Burdett at (434) 822-6785.

The Pittsylvania County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the fire.

Contact John R. Crane at or 434-791-7987.