Brunswick family receives outpouring of support following house fire
BRUNSWICK COUNTY (WWAY) — An outpouring of support Wednesday for a Northwest family who lost two children in a house fire last week.
The Presnell family has a long journey of healing ahead of them, but the community is ready to back them in any way they can, in helping them rebuild their lives.
The walls that held so many memories for the Presnell family were destroyed by an excavator on Wednesday after a house fire took those precious memories away.
Last week, Dustin Presnell and Jessica Clarke lost their two youngest children, 3-year-old Paisley and 1-year-old Landon, in the fire on Grist Creek Wynd.
Dustin and the oldest daughter, Letty Moore, both suffered third-degree burns and are recovering at the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center at UNC Chapel Hill.
Jessica Clarke escaped uninjured.
Her cousin, contractor Forrest Cobb, oversaw the demolition, which included various companies and local builders that willingly chipped in to give the Presnell’s a fresh start, and hopefully take the first step in putting a new home here.
“Our goal is just trying to make everything here look completely different so that way the memories aren’t flooding them on a daily basis, and they can just start over new,” said Cobb.
Samantha Pruitt, who has two children of her own, is eager to help the Presnell’s.
“I can’t imagine watching all those years and memories, even short years and memories, with these children that are just gone, for this mother and, sorry, it just breaks my heart for this family because I couldn’t imagine having to do that with my children,” said Pruitt.
In addition to being a volunteer for Oak Island Angels, which helps families in need, Pruitt is the co-owner of the “Pirate’s Deck” restaurant.
She’s turning her sadness into the spirit of hope and giving.
“The Pirate’s Deck, what we plan to do is have a barbecue plate sale, those are going to be $12 a plate. We’re also accepting donations from business owners all around to donate items or services for auction. I really wanted to come together as a community and bring everyone together for this family and to show that they do have support and love throughout this community,” said Pruitt.
Support and love in the form of teddy bears, signs, and messages dot the property.
“I did not expect this type of outpouring of people who are willing to help, donating, things of that nature, and I mean, I’m just shocked,” said Cobb.
The GoFundMe for the family can be found here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-presnell-family-after-house-fire-efh5w
