Local community supporting Benton family after devastating house fire

BENTON, Mo. (KBSI) – Community members are donating needed supplies to a family that lost everything in a house fire Monday morning, just weeks away from Christmas.

Around 3:30 A.M. on Monday December 2, 2024, Skylar Walker was at her parents house when neighbors called saying her house was on fire.

“When I saw it, I knew — I knew there was gonna be nothing,” Walker said.

Walker said, the night of the fire they’d been having problems with the power not turning on. When they noticed smoke coming from one of the outlets they immediately turned off the main breaker.

Walker and her boyfriend, Aaron Carroll, then took their nine children to stay the night at walker’s parents house — leaving with only the clothes on their backs.

Neighbors alerted them to the fire just two hours later.

“There was so much stuff in that house,” Walker said. “I was just like, well, great. Everything from when the kids were born, everything from the hospital when they were born — everything was just gone.”

Walker made a Facebook post about the fire – explaining their situation and asking for prayers. She was surprised when the post was shared around the community. That’s when donations started pouring in.

“I didn’t think that many people were going to share it,” Walker said. “They’ve been bringing clothes for the kids, toys, shoes. People have donated brand new backpacks.”

Inside Walker’s parents’ home — where they’re temporarily staying — there are piles of donations. Boxes of diapers are stacked in the kitchen alongside enough blankets for each kid. Piles of clothes and toys are in the living room.

Walker and Carroll say, after losing everything they’re off to a good start in rebuilding.

“Anything and everything that we’ve got is greatly appreciated,” Carroll said. “It goes a long way and we’re just really thankful for everybody that’s helping us.”

Fox 23 reached out to Scott County Rural Fire Protection District to learn more about the exact cause of the fire. They have not yet replied.