Veteran Hoover employee talks about fire that burnt his home to the ground

David Buchanan has a word of advice for people whose house catches fire: don’t stop to get anything but your family; just get out.

The 20-year Hoover city employee found himself in that exact situation early Sunday morning while he and his family slept in their home at 4241 South Shades Crest Road.

A stranger who was driving by their home about 2:15 a.m. saw flames coming from the back of the house and started banging on the door, said Buchanan, who is a painter for the city of Hoover.

“I looked out back and just saw flames,” Buchanan said. “By the time I was able to get my family to the front door, the back windows were busting, and it started rushing into the house. It happened so quick it was unbelievable … I didn’t even make it out with shoes.”

The Buchanans’ house was completely destroyed — burnt to the ground — along with all their possessions in it, but Buchanan said that’s OK. “I can replace it. I got my family. That’s all that matters to me.”

The Buchanans have home insurance, but friends and family have rallied to their aid. A cousin started a GoFundMe page that as of Monday night had collected more than $11,000 in donations.

People also have rushed to their aid to provide temporary housing, food and clothing. “People we don’t even know have stopped by the house and offered us money and food and clothes,” Buchanan said. “It’s just phenomenal.”

His wife, Cindy, and daughters Bella and Gia (ages 10 and 3) have plenty of clothes right now, so no more clothing donations are needed, he said. He and his family especially want to thank the people at Prince of Peace Catholic Church and School, he said.

He and his family are staying with friends now and likely will do so until they get permanent housing again, he said. They likely will rebuild in the same place, he said.

The Indian Ford Fire Department was the first agency on the scene and was assisted by the Hoover and Helena fire departments and Alabama Forestry Commission, said Indian Ford Capt. John Baker.

They had the fire under control within an hour but didn’t get it completely out until about 9 a.m., Baker said. Fire investigators still are trying to determine whether the fire started at the house or in the woods behind the house, he said. There was a brush fire behind the house that burnt less than an acre of woods, he said.

Baker's department will turn its findings over to the state fire marshal’s office for a final determination, he said.