2 years after wife’s death, DeKalb officer and 6 children lose home in fire

Officer Marty Williams and his family have been staying in a hotel since a fire engulfed their home earlier this month.

Credit: DeKalb County Police Department

Credit: DeKalb County Police Department

Officer Marty Williams and his family have been staying in a hotel since a fire engulfed their home earlier this month.

Just two years after his wife died, a DeKalb County police officer and his six children must now find a new home after a fire engulfed their house earlier this month.

For more on this story, watch the Channel 2 Action Nightbeat at 11 p.m.

Officer Marty Williams and his family have been staying in a hotel since the March 1 blaze, DeKalb police spokeswoman Shiera Campbell said.

“We just kind of have to focus in on one task at a time,” he told Channel 2 Action News, “and hopefully we’ll get to that point where we can say hey we have a house again.”

The lone item saved in the fire: a memory box containing photos of the children’s late mother.

“When my mom died all her stuff was in there and it survived,” daughter Chichi Williams told Channel 2. Chichi’s mom died after she gave birth to her last child.

The home of DeKalb County police Officer Marty Williams was engulfed March 1. The police department is holding a fundraiser to help Williams and his family find a new home. (Credit: DeKalb County Police Department)

Credit: DeKalb County Police Department

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Credit: DeKalb County Police Department

To help the family find a place, the department is hosting a fundraiser Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the DeKalb County police south precinct at 2842 H.F. Shepherd Drive in Decatur.

The department is partnering with Mix’d Up Burgers to sell food and beverages, Campbell said. That business will donate 20 percent of the proceeds to Williams and his children.

Patrons are also welcome to donate clothes to Williams, his five girls —ages 3, 4, 7, 9 and 11 — and his 4-year-old son.

Cash donations will be forwarded to Williams and his family.

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