GoFundMe Launched For Hale County Woman Who Lost Everything In Weekend House Fire

AKRON, AL — A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help a Hale County woman rebuild her life after a weekend fire destroyed her home in the Oak Village community.

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Local media reported that two homes were destroyed and three others damaged in a fire Saturday afternoon. Among those affected was Sandy Rowland, who lost the home she had lived in for the past four decades.

The online crowdfunding effort says Rowland escaped safely but left with only the clothes she was wearing. The fire destroyed the house, including clothing, furniture and personal belongings.

“If you know me, this isn’t something I care to do at all, but I’m trying to raise funds for my grandmother, Sandy Rowland, after she lost her home in a house fire on January 31, 2026,” Chase Kelly wrote on the GoFundMe. “She made it out safely, but with only the clothes on her back.”

Kelly said funds raised will go toward clothing and personal items, as well as temporary housing, food and other essentials in the coming weeks.

“This is going to be incredibly hard, not only the cost but the mental and emotional strain of losing everything,” the organizer wrote. “We are doing everything we can to support her during this time.”

Click here to donate to the GoFundMe.

As of the publication of this story, organizers had raised $1,295 toward the $5,000 goal.

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