Sheriff’s Office and community helping Franklin County family rebuild after house fire

Published: Mar. 6, 2025 at 6:00 PM CST

APALACHICOLA, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - A Franklin County family is rebuilding after their lives were turned upside down.

Natasha Jones was at work on December 23, 2024, when she received a devastating call from a neighbor -- her house was on fire.

By the time Natasha arrived, neighbors and firefighters were doing their best to put out the flames, but the fire couldn’t be stopped.

Thankfully, Natasha says no one was home at the time, but her house and belongings were completely destroyed.

Since then, Natasha and her children have been staying with her sister.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is stepping in to help -- they’ve set up a charity fund for those who want to support the Jones family during this difficult time.

“A lot of little babies need a home here. The family has been here for years. This is their homestead, and we all know how important our homestead is,” said Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith.

“I have been here for 20 years. I know we’re gonna put something here, we just need help trying to start to rebuild, or at least something we can put down towards it. The community has stepped up, they really have. Everybody has been really good to us,” said Natasha.

If you would like to donate to help the Jones family rebuild, click here.

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