Everyone inside the home made it out, including a handicapped man in a wheelchair. The family's dog was lost in the fire.
Firefighters have ruled the blaze accidental.
Family and friends came together on Sunday in an effort to salvage what they could after a fire destroyed the home.
"It was scary man, all the smoke and all the fire, and when it gets in your system you can't breathe right and you have to head out the door as fast as you can," said 16-year-old resident Ronnell Canion.
Canion and four other people lived inside the home.
Demorris Wall, 30, of Durham is one of the resident who was especially lucky to get out alive.
The family describes Wall as a paraplegic confined to a wheelchair, who has already been through a lot.
"He was a victim of being shot - 5 times - just walking the street - it's been devastating for him and it's been devastating for the family but still we have something to be thankful for," Grandpa and Pastor E. Nathaniel Wall said.
The family is grateful everyone survived, but the same can't be said for their possessions. The fire destroyed almost everything inside.
"Man this is a messed up Christmas for me - all my clothes, my shoes, my TV, my room, everything is gone," Canion said.
Friends and family members are asking the community for help, especially with it being so close to the holidays.
"They're gonna need some clothes, furniture, food, wheelchair, everything - basically everything we can get help with," Uncle Cedric Wall said.
The Red Cross is helping the family out with a place to stay. The extended family is also asking for donations.
Food, clothing, and other supply donations can be dropped off at The New Calvary Church located at 3024 Burton Road in Durham. You can also call the church at (919)688-2912.
The family includes 1 teenager, 3 men, and 1 woman, ages 16-30.
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