A driver headed home to Alabama took a wrong turn in Georgia and spotted a house on fire, then rushed inside to wake a sleeping family of 14; the couple say they have fostered more than 500 children over 15 years

A driver travelling home to Alabama took a wrong turn along a Georgia highway, leading to the rescue of a sleeping family of 14 moments before their house was engulfed by flames. The driver, identified by the family as a motorist named Mr Casey, was traveling with his son south of Lyerly, Georgia, just before midnight on Saturday, 17 October. Guided off his route by a GPS navigation error onto Highway 114, he reached the crest of a hill and saw flames spreading across a residential property. Instead of continuing on his journey, Mr Casey drove towards the burning structure, ran inside, and alerted the household. All 14 residents, including two adults, 11 children, and one grandchild, escaped the blaze unharmed.Late-night rescue on Highway 114The home belonged to James and Larita Burke, who were asleep alongside their family when the fire broke out. According to reports by local news outlet Local 3 News and reporting carried by Hoodline, Mr Casey entered the house to rouse the sleeping family and assisted in bringing all 12 children out of the structure to safety. He also remained on the scene to help guide emergency services to the rural location. Larita Burke spoke about how narrow the margin of survival was for her family that night. "If it had been another five minutes, it would've been a different situation," Larita Burke told KKTV. "We wouldn't have made it." Her husband, James Burke, explained that the driver felt compelled to follow the unfamiliar road after seeing the glow from the top of the hill. "He said that he knew that something kept bringing him down our road," James Burke said in an interview with 11Alive News. "When he saw the fire from the top of the hill, he knew he had to take action."Legacy of care for hundreds of childrenThe Burkes have dedicated much of their lives to child welfare in their local community. Over the past 15 years, the couple has fostered more than 500 children, providing temporary care and shelter to young people in need. Although the family survived without injury, the fire destroyed the home and all of their personal belongings. According to Local 3 News, the building was declared a total loss by emergency responders. Despite the destruction of their property, the family expressed gratitude that everyone escaped safely. Larita Burke emphasized that preserving life was the only outcome that truly mattered, stating in broadcast coverage by Local 3 News that "all our babies made it out."Community support and cause of the fireIn the days following the incident, neighbours and regional organizations mobilized to assist the displaced family with clothing, temporary shelter, and essential supplies. "It's overwhelming how much, immediately, people called to ask, 'Hey, what do you need? What can we do?'" James and Larita Burke told 11Alive News. "There are so many wonderful people in this community that have reached out. I didn't realize this county was as wonderful as it was until something like this happened." The Burkes confirmed that they intend to rebuild their home on the site and plan to resume fostering children once permanent housing is established. The Chattooga County Sheriff's Office reported that the cause of the fire remains under investigation, with official determinations pending further forensic examination of the site.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.