Thanksgiving ended tragically for one family in Hawkins when a house fire on County Road 3859 claimed the lives of Courtney Cline and her long-time partner, Ben Mendez. They leave behind five children between the two of them.
The origination of the fire is still under investigation but appears to be accidental.
The oldest child at home, Dallas, is being hailed a hero. When he awoke to heavy smoke in the night, he tore through his bedroom wall to save his three younger sisters.
All four children escaped without injury. The bodies of Cline and Mendez have been sent for autopsy.
Two GoFundMe accounts have been set up to support the family and pay for expenses.
Family friend Sherri Wolf collected $2,730 in donations, and Mendez’s coworker Bret D. is collecting donations.