On Wednesday, April 2, a fire completely destroyed the home of a local family.

The fire started when an electrical box in the utility room shorted out, setting fire to the wall and attic at the rear of the home.

Amelia Maples, a Carthage resident who lived near the Hernandez family, is working to get donations to the family who was left with essentially nothing.

“I knew there was a pretty bad fire and I knew it was close to where we live,” said Maples. “I really had no idea it was someone we knew.”

Maples said the family’s daughter goes to school with her twins that are in the first grade.

 “I wanted to do something for them because they rented the home and had no renters insurance.”

Maples said the family is in need of non-perishable food items, laundry detergent, towels, shampoo, socks, underwear and other clothing items.

“We’ve had a rush of furniture and stuff like that,” Maples said. “But they really need those everyday things that we all take for granted.”

Those interested in making a donation may contact Amelia Maples at 417-358-8855.

Sizes for the family are:

Boy’s clothing size 4, shoe size 9; boy’s clothing size 5-6, shoe size 9; girl’s clothing size 8-10, shoe size 13; women’s size 18; and size 2x shirts for men and 40-30 men’s pants.