CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) -- Members of the Montgomery County community are working together to raise money for a Clarksville first responder and his family after their home was destroyed in a fire Saturday night.
According to the Clarksville Firefighters Foundation, Bryan Birkes -- a firefighter with Clarksville Fire Rescue who also volunteers with Montgomery County Fire Service at Station 15 in Palmyra -- came in from trimming some trees, parked his UTV in the garage, and started playing with the dogs outside when he smelled smoke. He walked around the house and discovered the garage was on fire.
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(Courtesy: Clarksville Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Michael Rios) ![]()
(Courtesy: Clarksville Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Michael Rios) ![]()
(Courtesy: Clarksville Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Michael Rios) ![]()
(Courtesy: Clarksville Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Michael Rios) ![]()
(Courtesy: Clarksville Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Michael Rios)
Even though nobody was injured in the blaze on Saturday, Aug. 24, the nonprofit said the family of six lost everything.
"They do have insurance, but who knows when that will come in. There is an immediate need to get the family back on their feet. We are trying to collect some money to help FF Birkes, his wife Nicky, and their four kids," the Clarksville Firefighters Foundation said in a Facebook post on Sunday, Aug. 25. "For all of those who know Bryan, he is always willing to help you out and will give you the shirt off of his back."
The nonprofit is helping to collect donations for Birkes and his family, allowing people to make payments cash, check, or Venmo under @CvilleFirefightersFoundation in the charities section.
Besides Clarksville Fire Rescue and Montgomery County Fire Service, other agencies that have promoted the fundraiser for the Birkes family include the Cunningham Volunteer Fire Department and East Montgomery Volunteer Fire and Rescue.