Fire victims left with nothing

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va (WAVY) - Sagardou could see the smoke from just about everywhere in Hampton Roads, but the owner of the home where this massive fire started in Virginia Beach was blind sided when she got the call at her other home in Texas.

"Its amazing to just see there's absolutely nothing," Fran Baker said.

She arrived late Thursday night. Friday morning she got her first real glimpse at the damages.

"I look at this and I'm so grateful that my daughter and son-in-law weren't in it," she said. She is glad that her family is fine, but they did lose two dogs and two cats.

"That that really saddens me because I've lived here one year and did not know there were animals in that house, I did not know animals lived there."

Neighbor Helene Sagar felt helpless. Despite the rocker on her front porch, she doesn't really know any of her neighbors.

Last night she opened her door to the strangers on her block and they talked.

"She had said something when something bad happens I need comfort food, I need it really bad and she said pizza is my comfort food. So, I'm from Buffalo, I have some pizza in my freezer, so I went and got a couple pieces ad I brought it to her," Sagar said.

She also brought out ice water for their pets and offered more than a shoulder to cry on.

"She was so sweet to me last night," said Baker, "brought me into her home and offered for me to stay there and whatever they could do."

As Baker tries to come to grips with what her family has lost, Sagar has given her something to hold onto.

"Maybe thats a lesson for everybody, to look out for everybody," said Baker.

"They need to be more from in here," Sagar said, while pounding her chest. "And everybody, no matter how busy you are, there's time for in here."

There is fundraiser all weekend to help the families who lost their homes at the Tropical Smoothie located at 4515 Haygood Road, in Virginia Beach.

Ten percent of sales through Sunday will go to the families and the families are invited to come in and eat for free over the next five days.