When Mr. Casey’s GPS malfunctioned during a late-night drive home to Alabama with his son, sending him down an unfamiliar route on Highway 114 south of Lyerly, he had no idea he was about to become a hero to 14 people. What appeared to be a navigational error would prove to be a lifesaving miracle for the Burke family.
James Burke had dozed off in his recliner that Saturday evening while his wife Larita and their 12 children and grandchildren slept soundly throughout the house. His peaceful rest was abruptly interrupted by an unexpected visitor who would change everything.
“The next thing I know some guy was telling me in my living room, ‘Hey, you’ve got to get out of here. Your house is on fire,'” James said.
A stranger’s quick action
Casey had never traveled that particular road before, but something drew him down that path. From the top of a hill, he spotted flames emerging from the Burke family’s northwest Georgia home. Rather than simply calling emergency services and keeping his distance, Casey made the extraordinary decision to enter the burning structure.
The stranger rushed into the unfamiliar, smoke-filled house and assisted James in evacuating all 12 children. He remained on scene to provide guidance to firefighters upon their arrival. Larita Burke understood just how critical Casey’s intervention had been.
“If it had been another five minutes, it would’ve been a different situation. We wouldn’t have made it,” she said.
Everything lost, but hope remains
The fire consumed all of the family’s possessions. The younger children are having difficulty comprehending why they cannot return to their bedrooms. According to James, his three-year-old repeatedly inquires about when they can return home. Larita explains to the children that while the structure is damaged, it remains their house and simply requires repairs.
Remarkably, James and Larita have provided foster care to over 500 children during the past 15 years. Despite the devastation, the couple remains committed to continuing their foster care work once they are able to rebuild.
“We are traumatized, of course, but you know what? We’re gonna turn this page, and we’re gonna get on with our lives because we have so much to live for. All of our babies made it out,” James said.
The local community immediately mobilized to offer assistance to the family in their time of need.
For a decade and a half, the Burkes welcomed hundreds of children through their front door, providing safety and shelter to those who needed it most. On the night their own family faced mortal danger, a lost traveler walked through that same door to guide them all to safety.
“The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself” (Proverbs 11:25, NKJV). Please keep the Burke family in your prayers as they rebuild their home.
WATCH: A Stranger’s Wrong Turn Saved 14 Lives When He Spotted Their House on Fire
