Wichita Family Loses Everything in House Fire as Community Steps Up to Help
WICHITA, Kansas — A Wichita family of seven is rebuilding their lives after a devastating house fire destroyed everything they owned, leaving behind only ashes and charred memories. The community is now rallying around them to help them start again.
Family Escapes as Fire Spreads Quickly
The fire broke out on September 28, and investigators determined that faulty wiring sparked the blaze. Within minutes, the home was engulfed in smoke and flames. Vincent Larae Ransome Jr. said he woke up to his sister yelling that the house was filling with smoke.
“It was a rush of smoke — you walk in there, you feel your whole lungs fill up, and you couldn’t breathe,” Ransome said. “The fire was spreading before anyone could stop it. My sister ran out the house, waking me up. She started seeing the smoke rise from the vents, and all the kids got out, the dogs got out, she got out herself.”
Starting Over from Scratch
The fire destroyed nearly all of the family’s possessions — clothes, furniture, and sentimental items melted or burned to ash. Ransome said his mother and five younger siblings are now displaced and staying with relatives while searching for permanent housing.
“The walls are torn up. Her bed is gone. All her clothes are melted,” he said. “We try to make do with what we can and go about it every day, just pushing through for real. It’s been difficult trying to find a place. My mom’s been trying to find somewhere safe for her kids to keep their things.”
Faith and Family Keep Them Going
Despite the devastation, Ransome says his family’s faith and resilience are keeping them strong. “My family kind of just motivates me to stay strong about the whole situation,” he said. “We’ve got a strong head on our shoulders. I don’t think there’s anything we can’t handle. We can’t take down as a family.”
The family’s mother, Alicia, is now searching for an affordable apartment while working to replace what was lost. Friends and neighbors have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help them recover and rebuild after the tragedy.
For those wishing to support the family, donations can be made through their verified GoFundMe page titled “Help This Family of 7 Rebuild After a Devastating House Fire.”
For more stories on local recovery, community support, and family resilience across Kansas and the Midwest, visit NapervilleLocal.com.
I’ve lived in Naperville long enough to see how quickly our community changes — from new developments downtown to sudden shifts in our Midwest weather. Reporting on Naperville news and daily forecasts gives me the chance to keep neighbors informed about what really matters. My goal is simple: deliver clear, timely updates so you always know what’s happening in our city and what to expect from the skies above.