CATAWBA COUNTY. N.C. — After a fire destroyed the home of a beloved basketball and football coach in Catawba County, his community is stepping up to help.
Chris Hopper was coaching the Grandview Middle School team when he learned of the fire. He told Channel 9′s Dave Faherty he had just finished coaching a game when he got a call from a neighbor.
At Hopper’s home Wednesday, which is along Windhaven Drive north of Conover, it was obvious where flames had burned through the roof.
The flames and heat were so intense that what didn’t burn just melted -- including much of his kitchen. Hopper said in the hours since the fire, his neighbors, his coworkers and families from Grandview Middle School reached out to help him.
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“The people from my job. The people from my school, they’ve been checking on me and that means a lot too,” Hopper said. “They’re like family so that’s been pretty good.”
Hopper said a neighbor even stopped by the motel where they’re living now to find out clothing sizes for him, his wife and the two grandchildren they’re raising.
The family believes the fire possibly started in the kitchen. The fire marshal said he’s still working to pinpoint a cause. He said two fire departments responded but when they arrived, flames had already broken through the roof.
Sadly, the family lost three dogs and a rabbit in the fire, but Hopper is thankful for the community’s support.
“I think I said to my wife ‘I think we’re gonna be OK,’” he said. “We’re going through, at this time right now, losing our home, but the family is still there.”
Already, the Red Cross is involved -- they’re putting the family up at the motel.
A GoFundMe was also started for Hopper and his family. In a matter of hours, it raised a couple thousand dollars. Click here to donate.
(WATCH BELOW: Family displaced after north Charlotte home catches on fire due to lightning strike)
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