WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A deadly house fire on Christmas day has a Triad family mourning the loss of a loved one.
Family said Christopher Jenkins leaves behind a wife and two children.
Close cousin Anthony Jenkins was there the night of the fire.
"They said he was still In the house. I said still in the house!," Jenkins said. " I could tell something was wrong when you get there and you see eight fire trucks and a down power line that's still hot."
Anthony Jenkins jumped into action as flames billowed out his cousin's home Christmas day. He received a phone call about the fire since he lives nearby.
"It's like being in a time capsule you're running but you can't get there fast enough," Jenkins said. " You're short of breath. It's unexplainable. I'm still numb. We lost a family member on a day we cherished."
A 10-year-old who lives in the Brookway Drive neighborhood in Winston-Salem saw the fire.
He and his older brother also tried to help.
"They did what they could. They wanted to do more. My oldest son, he was trying to get to the back of the house but it was impossible," Jenkins said. "The flames, it happened so quick."
Despite doing all they could fire officials say 52-year-old Christopher Jenkins didn't make it.
The cause of the fire is being investigated but Anthony said Christopher went home to heat up a meal for his wife who worked late.
"He was very mild-mannered, big genuine heart, very patient always trying to do for everyone. He loved to cook," Jenkins said. "We always go together during holiday times."
Anthony said he and Christopher were raised as brothers and showed me a photo of them on Christmas day as children.
"This was at Christmas time and ironically he died on Christmas day," Jenkins said sharing a family photo.
As Anthony reflects on the good time he can't help but wish he was still here.
"It's a terrible accident and I wish we could have him back here," Jenkins said.
A family still in mourning now has to prepare their New Year's plans without a loved one.