HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — Devastation is the only word that can sum up what has happened to the Byrd family and their home.

Tuesday afternoon, their house went up in flames.

The family told 10 On Your Side that the fire started on the backyard deck and spread quickly.

Unfortunately, two cats were lost in the flames.

Brooke Byrd, who was in North Carolina at the time, said her mom was in the house when the fire started.

She told us her mother quickly grabbed a dog, cat, and the family members inside and ran out of the building.

“I can’t even explain how she even got them out in time,” Byrd said. “We had the one lady, the one that was partially injured. She tried to go back and fight it, but with a water hose.”

The woman who tried to put out the fire is a family caretaker. She suffered from some burns and blisters, but thankfully she’s doing OK.

Byrd rushed to Hampton after getting word of the fire and said neighbors and family friends were already there.

“I ran as far as I could get,” Byrd said, “and he [a family friend] was the first person I saw. And next thing I know, I’m on the ground with my mom just crying.”

Rodney Byrd was at work when he heard the news, remembering he became hysterical and hurried home to his wife.

“You know it’s just shocking and just not what you want to come home to,” he said, “It’s hard to imagine what I saw. The siding on our neighbor’s house was melted. I saw the front of our house. I saw windows blown out. I saw them spray in hot spots in the attic.”

But they said the help from neighbors and from people they don’t even know has been a godsend.

“They’ve taken in our animals,” Brooke Byrd said. They have done wonderful things. They made us dinner,” Brooke said, “Terrible circumstances to meet your neighbors, but we’re grateful for everybody who’s already come out.”

The family has set up a disaster relief fund with Navy Federal. They ask for everyone’s thoughts and prayers.