An Osceola County family's worst nightmare became reality Friday after a fire destroyed their home, consuming all of their belongings and Christmas presents inside the home.
"We opened the door thinking the dryer was on, and all we see was fire and smoke," said Llyssa Jinks, who lives in the home.
It seemed unreal for the Jinks family, but they quickly realized flames were climbing their walls. They needed to get out.
"Honestly, it just devastated me," Jinks said. "Seeing that wall of flames and knowing what would happen when we couldn't put it out."
Llyssa Jinks, her husband and the couple's 1-and-a-half-year-old child weren't injured in the blaze. Their home — including all the Christmas presents inside — is now burned in what used to be their living room.
The Red Cross of Central Florida said fires like the one the Jinks family faced is not uncommon. Red Cross officials said they receive about three fire-related calls daily. During the holidays, the agency is called more often regarding fires.
Now the Jinks family is forced to start over. Even though Christmas won't be at home — or with the gifts they purchased — they remain hopeful.
"It's just material," Jinks said. "We can move on. We can replace it and we will be fine."
The family said the biggest Christmas gift was coming out of the fire alive, and now they just hope to replace some of those items by Christmastime.