01/25/2025
From Kimberly Barron
I’m finally posting about my house after the fire, especially since so many others have already posted, and there’s been some confusion about whose house it was. Patricia Purdy, Austin Jones, and two of the kids were staying with me and Tony, but they were not home the night of the fire. This is regarding the house fire on County Highway 26.
On Monday, January 20, 2025, around 11:00 p.m., I woke up to someone sitting in the driveway honking their horn. I jumped up, woke Tony, and said, “Someone is here.” He got up and went to the living room to see who it was, only to discover our house was full of smoke. At that moment, the man outside was screaming, “Your house is on fire! Get out!”
I threw on some shorts and a shirt. Tony and I ran outside, and all our dogs followed. Tony and the man—whom I call the “Red Truck Guy”—ran back inside to grab something for Tony to wear. Our 10-year-old dog, Brady, followed them back in. While I was on the phone with 911, I knew Brady was always protective in dangerous situations and would never leave our side.
Tony and the man came back out, but Brady didn’t make it. He was later found in my room alongside my daughter’s cat, Penelope, after the fire was extinguished. It was as if Brady was trying to protect or save her. Both Brady and Penelope were brought out and buried that night, side by side. We also lost another cat, Binks, who was found the next day as we went through what remained of the house.
Aside from what the fire department managed to save from Patricia’s and Andrea’s rooms, the damage was devastating. But at the end of the day, we are grateful. If it hadn’t been for the “Red Truck Guy” stopping to help, I don’t believe Tony and I would still be here. The house was already full of smoke, and we were sleeping right through it. To the man in the red truck, you know who you are—we are beyond thankful for you.
We are also thankful that Patricia, Austin, Andrea, and Caleb were not home that night. I want to personally thank the Blountsville, Garden City, and West Blount fire departments, along with Scotty Hipp from Hanceville, for responding and helping however they could. We’re also incredibly grateful to everyone who showed up to support us during and after the fire.
How You Can Help
For those wanting to help, donation drop-offs are set up, and a donation account has been opened.
Drop-off Location:
• Nissan Service Department (Contact: Ashtin Hipp)
Donation Account:
• Merchants Bank
• Account last four digits: 4596
• Make checks payable to Scotty Hipp
• When donating at the bank, state it’s for the Scotty Hipp/Barron family
Online Donations:
• Venmo: -Hipp
• CashApp: $trussellkallie1
Clothing Donations Needed:
Kim L sweats/leggings, XL shirts, 38D bra Size 7
Tony 38/30 pants, 2XL shirts, XL underwear 11.5/12
Austin 3XL sweatpants, 42/32 jeans, 2XL/3XL shirts, XL boxer briefs Size 12
Patricia M sweatpants, size 5 jeans, S/M shirts, Small underwear Size 6 (Youth)
Andrea (teen) Adult S shirts, size 1 jeans/pants, Small underwear Size 6.5 (Youth)
Caleb (teen) Youth L shirts, 12/14 youth sweatpants, Large youth underwear Size 7.5 (Men’s)
We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the outpouring of support, prayers, and generosity. This journey will be long, but the love and kindness of our community have not gone unnoticed. We deeply appreciate every act of kindness as we begin to rebuild our lives.
Thank you,
Kimberly Barron
