Fire Destoys Gainesville Soldier's Home

GAINESVILLE, Ga. (MyFOX ATLANTA) - A fire caused by a dryer destroyed Nicole and Michael Walker's Gainesville home. The tragic fire happened as Nicole Walker was going to see her husband for the first time since a 10 month deployment in Afghanistan.

The Walkers' Gainesville home was gutted by fire Wednesday, the same day Michael Walker was set to walk through the door for the first time in 10 months. Walker was serving with the Army National Guard in Afghanistan.

"Thank God [nobody was] hurt. That was my main concern. Yeah material things can be replaced, [a] person's life can't be replaced," Walker said.

A banner had been placed to welcome Walker home, but no one could have imagined what would happen right before he got there.

"I was counting down the days, every day. We even had a Sharpie board writing the days down," said Nicole Walker.

Nicole Walker left the Gainesville home to drive to Savannah to meet her husband at the Army base. The Walkers' four children were staying with their aunt when the fire broke out.

"Hey, I'm home, that's all that counts. I made it home with all my fingers and toes," said Walker.

Michael Walker said the offers of help and support from neighbors, as well as people he's never even met, have been overwhelming.

Toni Sands dropped off some children's clothes for the Walkers Thursday.

"We just knew we would want somebody to help us if we were in this situation. Our heart goes out to them," said Sands.

As Michael Walker boarded up this house, he said he looked on the bright side, his family is safe and he's home, even if his house is gone.

"[Kind of trying] to pick up where we left off, try to replace what we can and just [kind of] go day by day," said Walker.

The Walker's did have insurance and the family is staying with Nicole Walker's mother who lives next door. The Walkers said they were humbled by all of the help they have received.