A rural Armstrong family lost everything when their house caught fire Thursday afternoon. Justin Cross and his two sons left the home to help a woman in Armstrong clear her driveway. On the way home, they stopped and helped someone else. They returned home about an hour later to find their home burning.

The home is located on County Road 215 in rural Armstrong, not far from the intersections of Highways 3 and 5.

Cross attempted to enter the front door of the home to save as much as he could, but the fire was already too hot. The call came into the Armstrong Fire Protection District at 4:19 p.m. Sixteen minutes later trucks arrived to start putting out the flames. Armstrong fire chief Scott Larson said the firemen battled for about four hours to get the fire under control. By that time the home was a total loss.

Two vehicles owned by Cross were saved from the blaze by Korte Towing, of Glasgow. 

Larson said the cause of the fire appears to be electrical in nature. It was deemed accidental and likely started in the home’s bathroom.

Cross is well known throughout the community as someone who is always dependable, and always willing to help. For years he has operated the junior optimist flag football league in Fayette. The family has received an outpouring of support from throughout the community. “So many people have helped out with clothing and supplies,” he said. 

Cross and his boys are staying with family nearby. An account has been established at Commercial Trust Company in Fayette to aid the family with expenses.