Lorton Family Rebuilding After Fire Destroys Home And Daycare Business

LORTON, VA — A Lorton family is seeking temporary housing and working to rebuild after a fire destroyed their home early Sunday morning, leaving them without both a place to live and the home daycare business they operated from the property.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue crews responded around 4:40 a.m. on Sunday to the 7400 block of Ardglass Court after receiving reports of a house fire.

When firefighters arrived, they found heavy flames coming from multiple sides of the home, with fire extending into the attic. Crews launched an aggressive attack while simultaneously searching the residence to ensure no one remained inside.

According to Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, all occupants and their pets escaped safely before firefighters arrived after neighbors spotted the fire and alerted the family. No civilians or firefighters were injured, and the blaze was extinguished without reported injuries. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Family Begins Recovery

Friends of the family have since launched a GoFundMe campaign to help Shawnda and her family recover from the loss.

According to the fundraiser, organized by family friend Emilio with Shawnda's permission, the fire destroyed not only the family's home but also the home daycare business Shawnda operated there, leaving her without both housing and her primary source of income.

GoFundMe: Help Shawnda and Her Family Rebuild After Losing Their Home

When asked about the family's greatest need, Shawnda said in the fundraiser, "This was my business and my home. Housing is a priority first, then stuff."

The campaign says donations will help the family secure temporary housing, cover essential living expenses, replace necessities lost in the fire and begin rebuilding both their home and daycare business.

Health Challenges Add To Family's Burden

The fundraiser also states the fire comes during an already difficult year for Shawnda and her family.

According to the campaign, Shawnda underwent breast cancer surgery earlier this year, continues to manage other medical conditions and is scheduled to undergo hip replacement surgery in August.

Instead of focusing on her recovery, the fundraiser says she is now facing the challenge of rebuilding her family's life after losing everything in the fire.

Fire officials have not released an estimate of the damage, and it is unclear whether the home can be salvaged. The investigation into the cause of the fire remains ongoing.

The GoFundMe campaign states it was created with Shawnda's knowledge and permission, and that proceeds will go toward helping the family recover from the fire.