Community rallies around family who lost home to fire

Community members are working to help a Highland Lakes family recover some of what they lost in a fire earlier this week.

The home of Joanna Sheppard and LaMichael Heard, located off Pine Cliff Circle in Highland Lakes, caught fire Monday night. When Cahaba Valley Fire Department arrived on the scene, there was fire and smoke pouring out of windows, said Cahaba Valley Public Information Officer Grant Wilkinson. The two-story home was engulfed, and firefighters from Chelsea Fire and Rescue and North Shelby Fire Department assisted on scene. No one was in the home at the time of the fire.

The fire took about an hour and a half to bring under control, Wilkinson said, and then firefighters worked until midnight to get everything put out and to make sure there were no hot spots that could reignite. There was heavy smoke and fire damage to the home. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time, Wilkinson said.

A GoFundMe page set up for the family on Tuesday has already raised more than $12,000 out of a $25,000 goal.

“This is a family that always helps so many through their giving and sharing and I know many people want to give back to them,” the description on the page reads. “They have lost everything and have a 5 year old daughter London, who is a light to everyone she meets. “

The GoFundMe is intended to help with immediate needs, according to the page.

“While they lost all their most treasured possessions they still have each other as well as the love and support of their family and friends,” the page continues.

Heard said they are “more than grateful and thankful” for the support they have received from Highland Lakes, Hilltop Montessori, UAB, friends and family.

“Everybody is being great,” he said.

Derrick Murphy, a college friend of Heard’s and a Hoover City Council member, said Heard and his family are people who will always offer their help to others, and he is glad to see the support they are receiving.

Many of Heard’s fraternity brothers from Kappa Alpha Psi have come in from out of town to help salvage what they can. Especially around the holidays, Murphy said it is good to see everyone support a family that lost so much.

“I’m just glad to see no one was physically hurt and to see the support they’ve been receiving,” Murphy said.

To donate, go to gofundme.com/sheppardheard-holiday-home-fire.