News 12 at 6 o'clock, November 27, 2008

RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga.---A family is homeless this holiday, after a grease fire spreads through an Augusta home. It also comes right in the middle of other worries for the family.

It happened late Tuesday, just before midnight on Verdery Street. Mother Wyomia Peterson was preparing a meal with grease on the stove.

"The pot had caught fire and it started spreading real bad and it spread through my whole kitchen," said Peterson.

Unable to put it out, her thoughts went to her three kids and one-month old niece in the house.

"I was scared because I couldn't wake up my kids at first," she said.

She finally got them out, but was still desperate to save her home. She went back to try to put out the fire, but couldn't.

All she could do was wait outside while the fire spread. It went up to the attic, then through a lot of the house, including her room, the living room, and her kids' rooms.

"I lost everything. There's nothing that can be saved...probably a little clothes but everything else was water damaged and burnt by the fire," said Peterson.

To make matters worse, this mom is about to lose her job in two weeks. She works at Castleberry's, a plant in the process of shutting down.

On a day she should just be worrying about Thanksgiving dinner, she's left with a lot more on her plate.

"Losing my house and not having anywhere to stay and then on top, losing my job," she says. "And try to live off unemployment for right now and also taking care of my kids at the same time."

While it's no time for celebration on this Thanksgiving day Peterson says she is thankful.

"Well that I'm alive and my children are still here, I'm thankful for that," she says.

And she's thankful for the blessings to come, as she looks to start all over again.

The Red Cross is taking care of the family for now, then they'll probably stay with other family in the area.

Anyone wishing to offer assistance for this family should contact Bridget Lynch-Hood, Wyomia Peterson's sister, at 706-772-5157.