Family Loses Home After Squirrel Chews Through Electrical Wires Sparking Massive Fire

A Florida family is working to rebuild their lives after a late-night house fire destroyed their home, an incident authorities believe was triggered by damaged electrical wiring in the attic.

The fire broke out while the family was asleep at their residence in the Panama City area on the night of Jan. 31. Donnie Banta said he was awakened by the sound of a circuit breaker tripping, followed by movement above the ceiling and a strong electrical odor. He alerted the rest of the household and helped everyone evacuate.

Banta, his partner Stacey Davis, their two children, and the family’s dog and cat all escaped without injury. Davis later described the moments as chaotic, saying the family rushed to wake everyone and get out as quickly as possible.

Fire crews responded to the scene and extinguished the blaze, but the home sustained extensive damage. Photos shared publicly afterward show severe interior destruction and a partially collapsed roof. The structure was deemed uninhabitable.

According to the family, firefighters told them the fire likely began after a squirrel entered the attic and gnawed through electrical wiring, causing a short circuit. Officials have not publicly released a formal cause determination, and efforts to obtain additional confirmation from local fire authorities were ongoing at the time of reporting.

With most of their belongings lost, the family has turned to community support while they seek temporary housing and begin planning for reconstruction. A fundraising campaign organized by relatives describes the damage as total and says the family is starting over with few remaining possessions.

As of early this week, the fundraiser had collected several thousand dollars toward a stated goal intended to help cover immediate living expenses and rebuilding costs. The family said they are grateful for the support and focused on next steps.