Panama City Home Devastated By Fire

My name is Emma Hannon, and I’m organizing this fundraiser for my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Andrew and Rachel Cole (Hannon), who lost their new home, nearly all of their possessions, and their two dogs in a fire on March 30, 2023.

Andrew recently accepted a new job, and the family has been in the process of making the move just over the state line from “sweet home Alabama” to Florida. Andrew had actually already made the move to begin working while Rachel, a teacher, and their two children stayed behind to finish the school year. Andrew and Rachel recently purchased their “new to them” home and were spending spring break moving in. At the time of the fire, the family had taken a break from unpacking to visit Andrew’s parents, who also live in the Panama City area.

Despite such a devastating loss, God’s hand of protection can be seen in all the little details of the event. The morning of the fire, Andrew had military orders to leave on a flight out of the country; however, there were issues with the plane preventing him from making the trip. Through divine intervention, a local realtor happened to be showing a home across the street and saw smoking emerging from their home. The realtor was able to use the MLS to find Andrew’s phone number listed as the new homeowner. Praise God Andrew was still in town to take the call.

Fire investigators estimated that the fire started just minutes after the family left the home. Evidence was found showing that the cause of the fire was electrical, starting in the hood over the stove. The fire traveled up the wall to the second floor causing widespread damage to the home. The outer walls of the brick home still stand; however, it was deemed a total loss.

For those of you who know Andrew and Rachel, you likely know that their dogs are more than pets; they’re family members. Earlier this month the family grieved the loss of their dog, Donovan, to cancer. Now my heart is completely broken for them again by the loss of sweet Zoey and Denali. These babies are truly irreplaceable.

If you know Rachel, you know she is a gifted cellist. Unfortunately, her beautiful cello from the 1800s was inside the home at the time of the fire. Although her cello was not completely burned, it was exposed to very high temperatures for an extended length of time. Rachel is currently in school to complete a music degree. She is supposed to play in her college recital Wednesday (April 5th). She has a recital check in two weeks and another recital in 4 weeks. She also has wedding gigs this upcoming month, and with Easter coming up, she has several church things to play for. She will need a playable cello in order to practice and perform. Cellos range anywhere between $15,000-$50,000.

Just hours before the fire, Rachel sent a text in our family group praising God for the scholarship she was awarded and asking us to continue praying that God would provide the additional $4,470 she needed for school. Her mother responded that God will ALWAYS meet our needs, that He promises to meet our needs. We are now holding fast to that promise, and we are believing that He will not only meet her financial needs for school, but that He will redeem this tragedy, what man deemed a total loss, and turn it into a win.

Some may question why a good God wouldn’t just prevent this fire. There is often a general tendency to blame God for evil and suffering. But the Bible makes it clear that Christians are not immune to the trials of this world. 1 Peter 4:12 tells us, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening you.” Jesus himself assured us that there would be suffering in our lives when He said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). And Job 5:7 says that people are born for trouble as predictably as sparks fly upward from a fire.” In the moment it seems as if these verses were penned with Andrew and Rachel in mind. It’s my prayer that they find peace in Jesus during this time, that this challenge strengthens them, and that God uses this for his glory in ways far greater than I could imagine. It’s also my prayer that the Lord blesses all of those who are able to help my precious family in their time of need.

NOTE: I wrote this based on the most recent details I was provided. However, I pulled details together from multiple family sources, and I apologize if any mistakes were written. I will try to provide updates as I am able.

We cannot thank you enough for your prayers and support!