Fire Destroys FishHawk Home, But Family 'Truly Blessed' With Support

A FishHawk Ranch family has been overwhelmed by the community's outpouring of support after a fire devastated their home Monday night.

John and Melissa Watson and their children, Riley, 6, and Abbey, 3, were at their Kiteridge Drive home around 8 p.m. Monday when they smelled smoke.

"Melissa was like, 'It smells like burnt marshmallows,' " John Watson recalled.

Watson, a 36-year-old firefighter for the City of Tampa, was able to get the family out safely, but the one-story house was gutted by flames, its roof reduced to soot. Watson said Hillsborough County Fire Rescue investigators believe an ember left over from a backyard cookout over the weekend ignited a compost heap, spread to a wooden fence and eventually reached the eaves of the house and the roof.

"The stars aligned, I guess," Watson said.

But rather than dwell on what's been lost, Watson said he's focusing on what's left — his family's health, first of all, but also the photo albums and a family heirloom quilt that volunteers have salvaged from the ashes, and a Christmas tree that's somehow still green and decorated with ornaments.

Watson also said he's been blown away by the response from Red Cross volunteers, neighbors and local businesses who've donated emergency items, food and toiletries. A steady stream of 30 to 40 people were at neighbor Kelly Rowjohn's house Tuesday, where the Watsons are temporarily staying.

"It's kind of a command center over here," Rowjohn said.

and local grocery stores have brought food, Watson said, and FishHawk Storage provided storage space for recovered items. Businesses in the Plaza Bella shopping center at Bloomingdale Avenue and Bell Shoals Road were also gathering donations and items Tuesday.

Friends were also setting up a website, watsonfamilyhome.com, which will have information on how to help. Donors can also contact Rowjohn at 813-655-9985 for more info.

"(John Watson's) a first responder," said Rowjohn, who befriended the family when they moved in about five years ago. ""He helps people every day. If anybody deserves help, it's them."

Watson said the offers of assistance from friends, neighbors and complete strangers have been amazing.

"This community is phenomenal," Watson said. "We are truly blessed. This area, it's not just a neighborhood, it's a family."