In Support of The Harless Family
A Family's Nightmare:
3 Generations of The Harless family Left with Nothing In the blink of an eye, our family's world turned into a nightmare. On the evening of April 30,2026, a devastating house fire tore through our home, destroying everything we own in minutes. We are heartbroken, but above all, we are grateful to be alive.
My father, William Harless(69) born and raised on Tyler Mountain outside of Cross Lanes,WV is the heart of our family. He has dedicated his life of hard work as a oversea construction contractor for 20+ years until his retirement in 2015 to caring for others or lending any help he could to people in their time of need without ever asking for anything in return. In his twilight years, he is surrounded by love—living with my fiancé of 5 yrs Katrina Burdette(38) also of Cross Lanes, WV, myself, and occasionally his 3 grandchildren ages varies from 16 down to a 2 year baby boy, 2 step grandchildren ages 13 and 10, and cant forget his many loving friends. Katrina and couple friends work hard to ensure my father is always comfortable and safe while Im away at work sometimes hours or states away from home.
But on that evening, we lost everything we all work so hard to have and enjoy in life totally destroyed within the matter of moments. The fire accompanied by considerably loud boom as mentioned by neighbors. Started around the back deck/doors to living room of our Triple wide mobile home cause is still under investigation as this being written. Luckily I, Zachary Harless (38), William's son was the only person actually inside the home when as the horrific scene unfolded, thanks to living in the home off and on since i was 14 and could navigate it blindfolded barely escaped with my life and few personally cherished items of Williams and my own. With my escape only affected by minor smoke inhalation and non serious scrapes, which the Kanawha Emergency Service first responders quickly treated on the scene and without the need to be transported to local hospital as of my wishes. But the home is a complete total loss not only physically but also mentally. Everything—from cherished family photos and my father’s memories, to the children's clothes, toys, and essentials—is gone.The possible need my father and everyone else as of at this moment: clothes, hygiene, temporary room and board, food and anything else I may forgot to mention that is essential for day to day survival. Katrina and myself are currently figuring on extended tent camping until save up money from work or some unforseen stroke of good luck actually for once found my ideal living situation before winter returns hopefully.
How You Can Help
We are asking for your help to take the first steps toward rebuilding. Your donations will go directly toward:
Immediate Shelter: Temporary housing/rent
Essentials: Clothing, food, diapers for the grandbabies, and toiletries
Medical Bills: For my father and family
Securing a New Home: First steps toward rebuilding a normal life.
The main reason Im putting our drama out like this is because, of after speaking with my father that the home insurance policy hasn't been paid in unkown amount of time, so we have no normal help as in form of a insurance settlement to help ease the burden and struggles of life day to day. So with that being said we will only be able cover the immediate cost of rebuilding what our family as left of our lives after not only this but other tragedies that have struck numerous times since 2020. Is his monthly retirement check and my day to day pay as a Professional Relocation Labor Specialist in the HHG moving industry.
No donation is too small. If you cannot donate, please consider sharing our story with your friends and family or prayers also. We are absolutely devastated, but with your help, we can keep my father safe and give our children a future. Thank you for your kindness, prayers, and support during this tragedy. God Bless everyone the has takin time out their busy days that has called or stopped by to check on us. And to the first responders that went above and beyond to extinguish the blaze as quickly as they could(Dunbar FD, Institute FD, Nitro FD, Tyler Mountain Volunteer FD, Kanawha County EMS). I thank you wholeheartedly each and everyone of yalls hard work at my families time of crisis.
THANK YOU AGAIN AND GOD BLESS
3 Generations of The Harless family Left with Nothing In the blink of an eye, our family's world turned into a nightmare. On the evening of April 30,2026, a devastating house fire tore through our home, destroying everything we own in minutes. We are heartbroken, but above all, we are grateful to be alive.
My father, William Harless(69) born and raised on Tyler Mountain outside of Cross Lanes,WV is the heart of our family. He has dedicated his life of hard work as a oversea construction contractor for 20+ years until his retirement in 2015 to caring for others or lending any help he could to people in their time of need without ever asking for anything in return. In his twilight years, he is surrounded by love—living with my fiancé of 5 yrs Katrina Burdette(38) also of Cross Lanes, WV, myself, and occasionally his 3 grandchildren ages varies from 16 down to a 2 year baby boy, 2 step grandchildren ages 13 and 10, and cant forget his many loving friends. Katrina and couple friends work hard to ensure my father is always comfortable and safe while Im away at work sometimes hours or states away from home.
But on that evening, we lost everything we all work so hard to have and enjoy in life totally destroyed within the matter of moments. The fire accompanied by considerably loud boom as mentioned by neighbors. Started around the back deck/doors to living room of our Triple wide mobile home cause is still under investigation as this being written. Luckily I, Zachary Harless (38), William's son was the only person actually inside the home when as the horrific scene unfolded, thanks to living in the home off and on since i was 14 and could navigate it blindfolded barely escaped with my life and few personally cherished items of Williams and my own. With my escape only affected by minor smoke inhalation and non serious scrapes, which the Kanawha Emergency Service first responders quickly treated on the scene and without the need to be transported to local hospital as of my wishes. But the home is a complete total loss not only physically but also mentally. Everything—from cherished family photos and my father’s memories, to the children's clothes, toys, and essentials—is gone.The possible need my father and everyone else as of at this moment: clothes, hygiene, temporary room and board, food and anything else I may forgot to mention that is essential for day to day survival. Katrina and myself are currently figuring on extended tent camping until save up money from work or some unforseen stroke of good luck actually for once found my ideal living situation before winter returns hopefully.
How You Can Help
We are asking for your help to take the first steps toward rebuilding. Your donations will go directly toward:
Immediate Shelter: Temporary housing/rent
Essentials: Clothing, food, diapers for the grandbabies, and toiletries
Medical Bills: For my father and family
Securing a New Home: First steps toward rebuilding a normal life.
The main reason Im putting our drama out like this is because, of after speaking with my father that the home insurance policy hasn't been paid in unkown amount of time, so we have no normal help as in form of a insurance settlement to help ease the burden and struggles of life day to day. So with that being said we will only be able cover the immediate cost of rebuilding what our family as left of our lives after not only this but other tragedies that have struck numerous times since 2020. Is his monthly retirement check and my day to day pay as a Professional Relocation Labor Specialist in the HHG moving industry.
No donation is too small. If you cannot donate, please consider sharing our story with your friends and family or prayers also. We are absolutely devastated, but with your help, we can keep my father safe and give our children a future. Thank you for your kindness, prayers, and support during this tragedy. God Bless everyone the has takin time out their busy days that has called or stopped by to check on us. And to the first responders that went above and beyond to extinguish the blaze as quickly as they could(Dunbar FD, Institute FD, Nitro FD, Tyler Mountain Volunteer FD, Kanawha County EMS). I thank you wholeheartedly each and everyone of yalls hard work at my families time of crisis.
THANK YOU AGAIN AND GOD BLESS
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